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BLUE BONNET 






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A TEXAS 
BLUE BONNET 


BY 


EMILIA ELLIOTT 



Illustrated hy 

JOHN GOSS 



L. C. PAGE & COMPANY 
BOSTON - - ■ MDCCCCX 




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Copyright, igjo 
By L. C. Page & Company 

(incorporated) 

All rights reserved 


First Impression, October, 1910 


I \ 

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Electrotyped and Printed by 
THE COLONIAL PRESS 
C. H, Simands &* Co., Boston, U, S. A. 


€cl,Aa75i49 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER page 

I. Blue Bonnet i 

II. Elizabeth i6 

III. To Meet Miss Elizabeth Ashe ... 34 

IV. School 51 

V. An Invitation 68 

VI. Tea - party Number Two .... 84 

VII. The Climax loo 

VIII. Mr. Hunt 122 

IX. Victor 140 

X. Uncle Cliff 161 

XL My Lady Bountiful 184 

XII. Senorita 208 

XIII. Christmas Boxes and Other Matters . 227 

XIV. Christmas 248 

XV. A Dare 268 

XVI. Ladies’ Day 288 

XVII. A Class Affair 312 

XVIII. Coventry 333 

XIX. The Boston Relatives 351 

XX. Concerning the Sargent .... 374 

XXL The End of the Term 395 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAOB 

Blue Bonnet Frontispiece 

“ ‘ Grandmother/ she cried, ‘ I’ve got a dog ’ ” . 32 ^ 

“ ‘ I RECKON YOU THINK I’m A COWARD. MaYBE YOU 

won’t want TO BE FRIENDS ANY MORE ’ ” . . 106 *^ 

‘ Isn’t it the nicest Christmas! ’ Blue Bonnet 

CRIED, HER lap FULL OF TREASURES ”... 254 

” ‘ Ladies’ Day at the Trent Rink ’ proved a 

THOROUGH success ” 295 

” ‘ But I THOUGHT,’ SHE said, * THAT IT WAS A GIRL'S 

PRIVILEGE TO CHANGE HER MIND ” . , . 383 



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A Texas Blue Bonnet 


CHAPTER I 

BLUE BONNET 

Blue Bonnet came up the steps of the long, low 
ranch house, and threw herself listlessly back in one 
of the deep veranda chairs. 

“Tired, Honey Mr. Ashe asked, laying down 
his paper. 

“ Yes, Uncle Cliff. I — hate walking! ” 

“Then why not ride?” 

Blue Bonnet was smoothing the ears of Don, the 
big collie who had followed her up, on to the ve- 
randa, and now stood resting his fine head on her 
knee. “I — didn’t want to,” she answered, slowly, 
without looking up. 

“ See here. Honey,” said Mr. Ashe, leaning 
toward her, a note of inquiry in his deep, pleasant 
voice ; “ come to think of it, you haven’t been riding 
lately.” 

“ No, Uncle Qiff.” Blue Bonnet’s eyes were 
turned now out over the wide stretch of prairie 
before the house. 

“ Any reason. Honey ? ” 

1 


2 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


The girl hesitated. “ Yes, Uncle Qiff.’’ 

‘‘ Don’t you want to tell me it, Blue Bonnet? ” 
No,” Blue Bonnet answered, slowly, ‘‘ I don’t 
want to tell it to you. I — it’s because I’m — 
afraid.” 

Afraid! Blue Bonnet! That’s an odd word for 
an Ashe to use ! ” 

“ I know. Uncle Cliff ; I reckon I’m not an 
Ashe — clear through.” Blue Bonnet rose hur- 
riedly and ran down the steps. Around the house 
she went, and in through the back way to her own 
room. There she brushed the hot tears from her 
eyes with an impatient movement. Oh, it is true,” 
she said to herself, and I can’t help it. Oh, if I 
could only go away — I hate it here ! Hate it 1 
Hate it!” 

Later, swinging in the hammock on the back 
veranda, she looked up suddenly as her uncle came 
to sit on the railing beside her. Something in his 
face and manner made her wonder. 

“ Blue Bonnet,” he said, abruptly, “ we might as 
well have it out — right here and now — it’ll be the 
best thing for us both.” 

Blue Bonnet sat up, pushing back her soft, thick 
hair. “Have it out?” she repeated. 

“ Blue Bonnet,” he answered, bending nearer, 
“ suppose you tell me just what it is you would like 
to do? It wouldn’t take much insight to see that 
you aren’t very happy nowadays; and — well, I 


BLUE BONNET 


3 


reckon your father wouldn’t want things going on 
as they’ve been — lately.” 

The girl’s face changed swiftly. ‘‘ Oh, I have 
been horrid, Uncle Cliff ! But I — oh, I do so — 
hate it — here ! ” 

“ Hate it here ! Hate the Blue Bonnet Ranch — 
the finest bit of country in the whole state of 
Texas!” 

“I — hate the whole state of Texas ! ” 

Blue Bonnet ! ” 

‘‘ I do. I want to go East to live. I — my 
mother was an Easterner. I want to live her life.” 

But, Honey, your mother chose to come West. 
Why, child,” — there was a quick note of triumph 
in the man’s voice — ‘‘ it was your mother who 
named you Blue Bonnet.” 

“ I wish she hadn’t. It’s a — ridiculous sort of 
name — I would like to have been called Eliza- 
beth — it is my name, too.” 

Elizabeth ? ” Mr. Ashe repeated. “ It doesn’t 
seem to suit you nearly as well. Honey. All 
the same, if you like it. But Blue — Elizabeth, you 
know that this is your ranch, and that your father 
wanted you brought up to know all about it, so as 
to be able to manage things for yourself a bit — at 
a pinch.” 

“ I shall sell — as soon as I come of age.” 

Mr. Ashe rose. I reckon we’d best not talk any 
more now.” 


4 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Unde Clifford.” Blue Bonnet looked up. 

Unde Clifford, please don’t think it’s just — tem- 
per. I mean it, truly — I sha’n’t ever make a West- 
erner. I’m sorry — on your account. Still, it’s 
true — I hate it all — now, — everything the life 
out here stands for — and I want to go East. I — 
I don’t see why I shouldn’t choose my own life — 
for myself.” 

Her uncle looked down into the upturned, eager 
face. “ You seem to have gone over this pretty 
thoroughly in your own mind, B1 — Elizabeth.” 

I have. Uncle Cliff.” 

Well, you and I’ll talk things over another 
time ; I’ve some business to see to now. I suppose 
things’ll have to go on, even if you do intend to 
sell — in six years.” 

I wish you’d try to see my side of it. Uncle 
Cliff.” 

I’m going to — after a while. Just now, I 
can’t get beyond the fact that you hate the Blue Bon- 
net Ranch. I hope your father doesn’t know it ! ” 
And Mr. Ashe turned away. 

Below the house, leaning against the low fence 
enclosing the oblong piece of ground called “ the 
garden,” Mr. Ashe found Uncle Joe Terry, ranch 
foreman, and his chief adviser in the difficult task 
of bringing up his orphan niece. 

Uncle Joe was smoking placidly, his eyes on the 
wild riot of color which was one of the principal 


BLUE BONNET 


5 


characteristics of Blue Bonnet’s garden. Tell you 
what,” he said, as Mr. Ashe came up, “ this here 
place needs weeding. Blue Bonnet ain’t been keep- 
ing an eye on Miguel lately.” 

Blue Bonnet’s uncle stood a moment looking down 
at the neglected garden. Yes,” he said, “ and it’s 
not only the garden, Joe, that’s been left to itself 
lately.” 

‘‘ She ain’t been out on Firefly this two weeks,” 
Uncle Joe commented. “ What’s wrong. Cliff? ” 
She wants to go East.” 

‘‘So that’s it? Well, I reckon it’s natural — 
wants to run with the other young folks, I sup- 
pose?” 

“ But — Joe, she says she hates — the ranch.” 

Uncle Joe puffed at his pipe thoughtfully. “ Hm 
— so she says that ? She always was an outspoken 
little piece. Cliff.” 

“ She says, too, that she means to sell.” 

“ My lady must be a bit excited. Well, it won’t 
be to-morrow. Cliff, and a whole lot of things can 
happen in six years. You just give my lady her 
head; she’s looking to be crossed, and she’s all 
braced up to pull the other way. All you want to 
do is to go with her a bit.” 

“ It’s a pretty big proposition — sending her 
East,” Mr. Ashe said. “ Oh, she’ll pick up a lot 
of tomfool notions, most likely,” Uncle Joe ad- 
mitted, “ and a whole heap of others that’ll come in 


6 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


mighty handy one of these days. You just send 
her ’long back to those folks of her mother’s and 
quit worrying.” 

That night Mr. Ashe wrote a letter to Blue Bon- 
net’s grandmother. He said nothing to Blue Bonnet 
herself about it, however. Possibly Mrs. Clyde 
would not care to assume the charge of her grand- 
daughter. In any case, it would be well to have the 
matter settled before mentioning it. 

Then one evening, not a fortnight later. Uncle 
Joe, coming home from the little post-office town, 
twenty miles away, tossed him several letters. 

“ Postmarked Woodford,” the older man said. 
‘‘ Looks like sentence was about to be pronounced.” 

Five minutes more and Mr. Ashe knew how hard 
he had been hoping against hope these last two 
weeks. 

“ Well? ” Uncle Joe asked; and the other looked 
up to find him still sitting motionless in his saddle. 

They want her to come as soon as possible, so 
that she may be ready to start school at the begin- 
ning of the fall term.” 

‘‘ Pretty good school back there? ” 

Said to be — it’s the one her mother went to.” 

I reckon they’re tickled to death to have her 
come ? ” 

They seem pleased.” 

Blue Bonnet’s out in the garden,” Uncle Joe 
suggested. 


BLUE BONNET 


7 


Blue Bonnet was gathering nasturtiums when her 
uncle called to her from the gate at the upper end 
of the garden. He had two letters in his hand, and, 
as she reached him, he held them out. ‘‘ They came 
to-night,” he explained. They are in answer to 
one I wrote a short time ago.” 

Blue Bonnet took them wonderingly, and, sit- 
ting on the ground, the great bunch of gay-colored 
nasturtiums beside her, she opened one of them. As 
it happened, it was the one from her Aunt Lucinda 
— a short letter, perfectly kind and sincere, but very 
formal. On the whole, a rather depressing letter, in 
spite of the answer it brought to her great desire. 

Blue Bonnet refolded it rather soberly. “ I 
wish,” she said, studying the firm, upright hand- 
writing, ‘‘ that I hadn’t read this one first. Grand- 
mother’s must be different.” 

It certainly was. A letter overflowing with the 
joy the writer felt over the prospect of Blue Bon- 
net’s coming. Through its magic the girl was car- 
ried far away from the little garden, from all the 
old familiar scenes. Dimly remembered stories her 
mother used to tell her of the big white house 
standing amidst its tall trees came back to her, and 
the vague hopes and dreams that had been filling 
her thoughts for weeks past began to take definite 
form. 

And she was going there — back to her mother’s 
old home. She was to have the very room that had 


8 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


been her mother’s, — Grandmother had said so. It 
seemed too good to be true. She was glad, now, she 
had kept this letter to the last. And she would be 
going soon ; — that thought, with its accompany- 
ing one of hurry and preparation, brought her back 
to the present. 

Picking up the letters, she ran up to the house. 
On the back steps she found Uncle Joe. 

Seems like you was in a hurry,” he said. 

Blue Bonnet laughed, looking at him with shining 
eyes. ‘‘ I’m going East ! ” 

“ To-night? ” he questioned. 

“ No, not to-night ; but very soon, I think.” 

Uncle Joe seemed neither surprised, nor im- 
pressed. Humph,” he grunted, knocking the 
ashes from his pipe. Well, I reckon it’s all right 
back East — for them that like it.” 

His reception of her news rather daunted Blue 
Bonnet, and she went at a slower pace through the 
wide center hall to the front veranda, where her 
uncle sat. 

‘‘ Uncle Cliff,” she asked, giving him the letters, 
‘‘ you mean — I’m to go? ” 

Mr. Ashe shifted the letters from one hand to 
the other for a moment, without speaking; then he 
said gravely, “ Yes, you’re to go, Elizabeth. When 
a girl hates the ranch, hates ever)rthing the life here 
stands for, and is afraid to ride, I don’t see that 
there’s anything left to do — but send her East.” 


BLUE BONNET 


9 


Blue Bonnet dropped down on the upper step, 
the quick color flooding her face. To go East was 
one thing — but to be sent! She sat very still for 
a few moments, looking out over the broad, level 
prairie. 

Her uncle was the first to speak. 

“ I suppose you'd best get started pretty soon ; 
there’ll be some fixing up to do after you get there.” 

Am I going alone ? ” Blue Bonnet asked. 

“ I don’t see how I can leave home at present,” 
her uncle answered. Perhaps I’ll hear of some 
one going East who’ll be willing to look after you.” 

** It’ll seem funny to go to school with other 
girls,” Blue Bonnet said. ‘‘ I wonder how I’ll like 
going to school.” 

‘‘ I reckon you’ll be learning a good many lessons 
of various kinds. Honey.” Mr. Ashe spoke a little 
wistfully. It was hard to realize that Blue Bonnet 
was going away. 

The girl looked up soberly; his words had some- 
how reminded her of Aunt Lucinda’s letter. A 
sudden dread of the writer of it seized her. • ‘‘ Uncle 
Qiff,” she asked, what are they like — Grand- 
mother and Aunt Lucinda ? ” 

‘‘ Suppose you wait and find out for yourself. 
Honey.” 

I wish Aunt Lucinda hadn’t been so much older 
than Mamma. Uncle Cliff, have you ever been in 
Woodford? ” 


10 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


No, Honey; it’s a right pretty place, I reckon. 
You’ll have to write and tell me all about it.” 

** And you’ll answer, won’t you? You’ll write 
very often ? ” 

‘‘ Of course. Honey; but I don’t know what I’ll 
find to tell you — you won’t care about ranch talk.” 

“But you’ll write? You’ve promised — and 
you’ve never broken a promise to me,” Blue Bonnet 
said. 

And that night, lying awake and thinking of the 
new life to come. Blue Bonnet found the thought of 
those promised letters strangely comforting. “ It 
— it can’t seem so far then,” she told herself. 

“ Hurry, Benita ! ” Blue Bonnet urged, “ I hear 
Uncle Joe coming.” 

The old woman gave a finishing touch to the 
waist she was laying in place in the big trunk stand- 
ing in the center of Blue Bonnet’s room. “ Si, 
Sehorita,” she said, “ all is ready.” 

She lifted the tray in place and closed down the 
lid, passing a hand admiringly over the surface of 
the trunk. “ Sehorita has the trunk of the Sehora, 
is it not ? ” 

“ Yes,” Blue Bonnet answered gravely. 

“ I remember, as it were but yesterday, the com- 
ing of the Sehora,” Benita said, “ and the Sehor 
calling ‘ Benita ! Oh, Benita ! Here is your new 
mistress ! ’ She was but the young thing — that 


BLUE BONNET 


11 


little Senora — not much older than you are now, 
Senorita mia, and with the face all bright and the 
eyes so expressive — like yours.” 

Eighteen,” Blue Bonnet said, thoughtfully, 

and I’m fifteen.” 

“ It was I who unpacked the trunk — this and 
others, for there were many — and now I am pack- 
ing it again for the going of the Senorita.” 
Benita’s voice was trembling. “ And the Senorita 
goes to the home of her mother’s mother. Much 
would the Senora tell me of the home she had left, 
in those first days.” 

Blue Bonnet came to put an arm about the old 
woman, who, since her mother’s death ten years 
before, had mothered and looked after her to the 
best of her ability. “ I wish you were going too, 
Benita,” she said. 

Si, Senorita mia, it is the journey too long for 
old Benita.” 

All the way from Texas to Massachusetts,” 
Blue Bonnet said. ‘‘ I wonder who’ll look after me 
and do everything for me there, Benita.” 

That thought troubles me much, also, Sehor- 

ita.” 

Oh, I’ll get along somehow,” Blue Bonnet 
laughed. She turned as Uncle Joe came down the 
hall, a coil of rope over his shoulder. 

Ready!” she called. 

“ This looks like business, for sure,” Uncle Joe 


12 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


said, slipping an end of the rope under Blue Bon- 
net’s trunk. 

She nodded rather soberly. She had worn a 
sober face a good deal of the time during the days 
of preparation. ‘‘ Uncle Joe,” — she looked up a 
little wistfully into the kind, weather-beaten face, — 
“ you — you’ll look after Uncle Cliff, won’t you ? ” 
Sure I will, Blue Bonnet, same’s if he was an 
infant in arms.” 

“ And you’ll write to me, too, sometimes — and 
tell me all about — everything?” 

I ain’t much on letter-writing,” Uncle Joe 
answered, “ but I’ll make a try at it now and 
then; and you’re going to be so busy doing the 
things you’re wanting to do that you won’t have 
much time to be pestered with the goings-on out 
here.” 

‘‘ Please, Uncle Joe, you know that isn’t so.” 

Ain’t it There now, that’s roped to stay. 
Seems kind of hard to realize that come another 
twenty-four hours and the Blue Bonnet Ranch’ll be 
without its best and prettiest Blue Bonnet. Eh, 
Benita?” 

Benita shook her gray head sadly. The sun- 
shine goes with the going of the Sehorita,” she 
said. 

‘‘ I reckon you’ll take to the doings back there all 
right. Blue Bonnet,” Uncle Joe began. “ There ! 
I’m always forgetting — just as if your uncle hadn’t 


BLUE BONNET 


13 


explained how, seeing as everything was to be new, 
you wasn’t to be Blue Bonnet any more, but Eliza- 
beth. It’s a fine name, Elizabeth, and it’s going to 
suit back East all right; but, if you was staying on 
here. I’m thinking you’d have to go on being Blue 
Bonnet. I doubt if the boys here on the ranch 
would stand for anything else — they’re sort of 
kicking now over your going.” 

‘‘ Yes,” Blue Bonnet said, “ I’ve had to say such 
a lot of good-byes — I don’t see why they care so 
much.” And, after Uncle Joe had carried out the 
trunk, and Benita had gone, she sat quite still on 
the foot of her bed beside her half-packed hand-bag, 
trying to realize that in another twenty-four hours 
she would be travelling further and further from 
the Blue Bonnet Ranch. 

She and her uncle were to leave early the next 
morning, taking the long drive to the nearest rail- 
way station in the cool of the day. Mr. Ashe was 
to go the first hundred miles with her, and from 
there on she would be in charge of a friend of his 
who was going East. 

And she had never been fifty miles on the railway 
in her life! Blue Bonnet’s eyes brightened. She 
drew a quick breath of pleasure. To be fifteen, and 
setting out to the land of one’s heart’s desire ! All 
the doubts, the regrets, the half-vague fears of the 
past ten days vanished. 

Hearing her uncle’s step on the veranda, she went 


14 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


out to meet him. He was looking down at the 
trunk; something of the' same expression in his 
eyes that had been in old Benita's. 

‘‘ Don’t you wish you were going, too ? ” the girl 
asked gaily. 

Yes, Honey.” 

Isn’t it a big trunk and doesn’t it look delight- 
fully travellingified ? ” 

“ Delightfully what ? ” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. Reaching up, she touched 
the little knot of dark blue, pea-like blossoms in her 
uncle’s buttonhole. ‘‘ You won’t forget me while 
you have your blue bonnets,” she said. 

** I reckon I won’t forget you. Honey.” 

They went in to supper. Blue Bonnet talking and 
laughing excitedly; but afterwards, when she and 
her uncle went out to the front veranda as usual, 
her mood changed suddenly. It • was so still, so 
peaceful, out there — and yet, already, so strangely 
alien. 

For a few moments she walked up and down 
restlessly, followed closely by Don. Don scented 
the coming change; he thoroughly disapproved of 
that roped trunk on the back veranda. 

Uncle Cliff — ” Blue Bonnet came at last to 
sit on the arm of her uncle’s chair, letting her head 
rest on his shoulder. Something had got to be put 
into words, which she had been trying to say in 
various other ways for a good many days past. 


BLUE BONNET 


15 


“ Uncle Cliff, I — truly — I am sorry — that I 
spoke the way I did — that night/’ 

Mr. Ashe stroked the brown head gently. 

That’s all right, Honey. And remember. Honey, 
if things go wrong, if you’re disappointed, or — 
anything like that, you’ve only to send word. This 
is your home, — and will be — for six years. And, 
Honey, you won’t forget, — what your father said, 
— that you were to try to live as he had taught you 
to ride — straight and true.” 


CHAPTER II 


ELIZABETH 

Blue Bonnet gathered up her belongings; ten 
minutes more and they would be in, the porter had 
told her. 

Mr. Garner, her uncle^s friend, had brought her 
as far as New York; from there on she had trav- 
elled alone. Now that she was so near her jour- 
ney’s end she almost wished she were not. 

Aunt Lucinda was to meet her in Boston. Blue 
Bonnet gave her hair a smoothing touch or two and 
pulled on her gloves ; then the porter came to brush 
her off, smiling sympathetically over her evident 
nervousness, and assuring her that Boston was “ a 
right fine place.” 

Very crowded, very confusing she thought it, 
during those first few moments. Inside the car, 
people were beginning to gather up bundles and 
wraps; outside, as the train drew into the great 
depot, pandemonium seemed the order of the day. 
Blue Bonnet felt a sudden, overwhelming desire to 
break away; to get somewhere — anywhere, where 
it was quiet. 

And then she saw Aunt Lucinda coming towards 
16 


ELIZABETH 


17 


her. She knew instinctively that it was Aunt 
Lucinda the moment she caught sight of the tall, 
well-dressed woman threading her way down the 
crowded aisle. 

This is Elizabeth ? she said, stopping before 
Blue Bonnet. 

The girl answered nervously that she supposed so. 

You see,'' she added, quickly, flushing over the 
ridiculousness of her reply, I'm not used to being 
called anything but Blue Bonnet." 

“ Elizabeth, or Blue Bonnet, we are very glad 
you have come to us, my dear," Miss Clyde an- 
swered, kissing her; ‘‘it must have seemed a long 
way." 

“ Yes, Aunt Lucinda," Blue Bonnet said. At 
that moment Texas seemed a very, very long way 
off, indeed. She followed her aunt down the aisle 
and out on to the busy platform, feeling curiously 
small and lonely. 

During the short ride on the local train Blue 
Bonnet was very silent, but Miss Qyde thought her 
interested in the view from the car window and did 
not try to make conversation. 

She was rather glad of the opportunity to study 
the slender, bright-faced girl opposite. 

“ How near everything is to everything else. 
Aunt Lucinda," Blue Bonnet said at last. 

Miss Clyde smiled. “We don't run much to 
space here, Elizabeth. There, that is our last stop 


18 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


before Woodford. You will be glad to have your 
long journey really over.” 

At Woodford the old family carriage was waiting. 
Denham, the coachman, smiled welcomingly at Blue 
Bonnet. ‘‘ ’Deed and I’m glad to see Miss Eliza- 
beth’s girl,” he said. 

Blue Bonnet smiled back in friendly fashion. 

Did he know Mamma, Aunt Lucinda ? ” she 
asked, wonderingly. 

Denham has been with us for more than twenty 
years, Elizabeth,” Miss Clyde answered. 

There were not many passengers for the sleepy 
little station. Blue Bonnet felt herself the object 
of interest for the group of loungers gathered about 
the platform. 

To the girl the old tree-shaded village, with its air 
of quiet content, its one wide principal street, with 
pleasant by-ways straggling off at irregular inter- 
vals from it, was very attractive, and very interest- 
ing as well, when contrasted with the little bare 
prairie town at home. She quite enjoyed the slow, 
leisurely drive in the comfortable old carry-all; she 
could not imagine any one dashing up that sober 
quiet street. And when, at last, they turned into a 
broad, well-kept drive, and she caught sight, across 
the smooth stretch of green lawn, of the big white 
house, she drew a quick breath of content ; it was all 
in such perfect keeping. 

Miss Clyde saw the look in Blue Bonnet’s eyes 


ELIZABETH 


19 


and an answering smile showed in her own. 

Your mother was very fond of the old place, 
Elizabeth,” she said ; ‘‘ we are very glad to have her 
daughter come home to it.” 

On the steps Mrs. Clyde was waiting, and to her 
Blue Bonnet’s heart went out instantly. 

‘‘ Ah, but you are like your mother, my dear ! ” 
Mrs. Clyde cried, holding the girl close. “ It is 
very good of your uncle to spare you to us. I could 
hardly believe the good news when it came. But 
you are tired, dear; you shall go to your room at 
once.” 

“ I am tired,” Blue Bonnet said ; she wondered 
why it was she wanted to cry. And why in this 
first moment of coming — coming home, Aunt 
Lucinda had called it — her thoughts kept going 
back to the home she had left. 

She went with her aunt up the broad oak stairway 
and along the wide upper hall to a room at the 
lower end, — a big pleasant room, — the one that 
had been her mother’s. It was, indeed, a. charming 
room, with its wide, cushioned window-seats, its 
deep, open fireplace, its pretty light furniture and 
delicate draperies. The windows looked off into 
orchard and garden, and, when Aunt Lucinda had 
gone downstairs again. Blue Bonnet went to kneel 
before the one overlooking the latter. 

In a moment she had forgotten how tired and 
dusty she was; forgotten how far she had journeyed 


20 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


since the morning she said good-bye to Uncle Joe 
and old Benita and Don; had forgotten everything 
but the garden lying, half in shade, half in sunshine, 
below, — the big, rambling, old-fashioned garden, 
of which the one at home was a faint reproduc- 
tion. 

Beyond the garden was a tall row of trees, grow- 
ing so closely together as to form a thick screen. 
Blue Bonnet wondered what was on the other side 
of that row? Did her grandmother’s land end on 
this side? Could there be neighbors so near? 

She wondered a good deal about it as she fresh- 
ened herself up for supper. Her trunk had not 
come yet, but she had a fresh white waist in her 
suit-case. Presently she came slowly along the 
hall and downstairs to where Mrs. Clyde was sit- 
ting in the broad entrance hall. 

“ It is very good to see a young person coming 
down those stairs again,” Mrs. Clyde said; you 
come much more slowly than your mother used to, 
dear.” 

Blue Bonnet smiled. ‘‘ It seems odd to be going 
up and coming down stairs at all. At home it is all 
on one floor.” She went to stand by the open front 
door. Across the lawn and the broad road beyond, 
she caught glimpses of other big white houses, 
behind their sheltering trees. 

“ Oh,” she said, ** if you only knew how delight- 
ful it seems to have real neighbors. Grandmother. 


ELIZABETH 


21 


At home our nearest neighbors were twenty miles 
away. Fve been so hungry for people, and houses, 
and everything.” 

The next morning Blue Bonnet made her 
first acquaintance among her new neighbors. She 
had gone out to see for herself what lay beyond that 
tall screen of trees. Nothing at all mysterious, she 
found; merely another broad green lawn centering 
itself about an old creeper-covered brick house. 
Following the path beside the trees, she came to a 
low picket-fence, over which ran a stile. Blue Bon- 
net sat down on the upper step to survey at leisure 
this next-door place; and then she saw that from 
midway across the lawn some one was surveying 
her, — a boy of about her own age. 

‘‘ Good morning,” he said. 

Good morning,” Blue Bonnet answered. ** Do 
you live here?” 

Yes.” 

“ It’s a very pretty place.” 

The other turned to look back at the old house. 
“ I suppose it is,” he admitted, ‘‘ though I’ve never 
thought much about it.” He came nearer, whistling 
to a pair of fox-terrier puppies, who were worrying 
at something at the further end of the lawn. ** Do 
you like dogs ? ” he asked. 

“ I adore them,” Blue Bonnet answered. 

Bob and Ben are pretty decent little chaps,” the 


22 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


boy said, and he brought the dogs up to be intro- 
duced. 

‘‘ They’re dears,” Blue Bonnet declared warmly, 
patting the two upturned heads. 

The puppies shook hands politely, wagging their 
stumps of tails eagerly. 

“ We haven’t any dogs over here,” Blue Bonnet 
said regretfully. I don’t know how I’m going to 
get on without any.” 

‘‘ We’ll go shares with mine.” The boy hesi- 
tated. You’re — ? ” 

‘‘ B1 — Elizabeth Ashe.” 

“ And I’m Alec Trent. You’re from Texas?” 

Yes,” Blue Bonnet answered. 

How jolly! ” Alec threw himself down on the 
lawn beside the stile. You won’t mind my making 
myself comfortable while you tell me about 
Texas? ” 

And suddenly Blue Bonnet noticed how thin were 
the hands clasped under his head, how big and 
bright the eyes in the delicate, sensitive face. 

She leaned forward, stirred by a quick impulse 
of pity. ** I’ll tell you about the prairies.” She 
told him of the great open sea of prairie land, 
stretching away in wild, unbroken reaches all about 
her Texas home. 

Alec whistled. ** And you had to come away 
and leave it all I What a shame ! — but you’ve got 
it to go back to — I wish I had ! ” 


ELIZABETH 


23 


‘‘ Don’t you like it here in Woodford ? ” 

“ It’s a poky old hole. You can’t throw a stone 
in any direction without breaking a window — or 
a tradition.” 

“ Do you want to break — windows ? ” 
Sometimes.” 

Blue Bonnet leaned forward, elbow on knee, chin 
in hand. “ I wonder if you’d call it breaking win- 
dows — my wanting to come East.” 

‘‘ Did you want to come ? ” 

Yes.” 

“ Well ! ” Alec exclaimed ; and she felt for the 
moment his approval of her lessen. 

‘‘ Here I’ve been feeling sorry for you all the 
time,” he said ; then he smiled, — ‘‘I don’t know 
but that I’ll have to go on feeling so — because you 
wanted to come.” 

I don’t mind,” Blue Bonnet said, as long as 
you don’t show it too plainly.” 

You’ve come to go to school? ” the boy asked. 

‘‘Yes; is it a nice school?” 

“ It’s a good one.” 

“ Do you go to it ? ” 

“ Oh, all the Woodford boys and girls go to it, 
as their fathers and mothers did before them.” 

“ I’ve never been to school.” 

“ Then you’ve got a lot of new experiences com- 
ing your way, and they won’t all be pleasant ones. 
Going to school isn’t all joy, and neither is it all 


24 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


the other thing. You’ll get acquainted with a lot 
of girls that way.” 

I shall like that. I want to know — oh, every- 
body here ! ” 

“ I don’t,” Alec laughed. He got up. “ Do you 
like horses? But of course you do, — a Texas 
girl." 

Yes, I love horses,” Blue Bonnet said slowly. 

** Come and see my horse, then ; Grandfather 
gave him to me last birthday.” Alec led the way 
across the lawn to where a path branched off to the 
stable. 

It was a low brick building, matching the house 
in style. From their comfortable stalls the sober 
old carriage horses gazed placidly out. 

Blue Bonnet went to stroke them. They’re just 
like Grandmother’s,” she laughed. 

“ Oh, we’re a good deal alike here in Wood- 
ford,” Alec said, ‘‘ we ‘ first families,’ that is. Of 
course our horses aren’t all the same color, any 
more than our houses are; but they’ve all reached 
about the same state of lazy well-being. But look 
here ! ” He turned to another stall. 

Blue Bonnet gave a quick exclamation of pleasure 
and reached out a hand to smooth the glossy head 
turned towards her. Oh, he is a beauty ! ” she 
cried. What’s his name ? ” 

“ Victor,” Alec moved nearer, and the horse with 


ELIZABETH 


25 


a low whinny of welcome sniffed expectantly at his 
pocket. 

‘‘ Fve your sugar, all right, old fellow,’' the boy 
said, holding out a couple of lumps. 

“ I reckon he goes well ? ” Blue Bonnet said. 

Like the wind.” 

You like that? ” the girl asked. 

‘‘ I certainly do. Fd let you try him some day, 
only I don’t know whether he’d stand skirts — he’s 
got a pretty spirit of his own.” 

Blue Bonnet edged away. “I — think Fd better 
be going now; Fm afraid it’s late.” 

“ It’s been a short morning, hasn’t it ? ” Alec said. 

They’re rather long, sometimes.” 

“You’ll come over soon?” Blue Bonnet asked, 
as they reached the stile again. 

“ Indeed I will,” Alec promised. 

“ Good-bye,” Blue Bonnet called, as she ran 
across the lawn and through the garden to the side 
door. In the hall she met Aunt Lucinda. 

“ My dear,” Miss Clyde said, something very 
like annoyance in her voice, “ where have you been 
all the morning? ” 

Blue Bonnet flushed. “ Over to the next place 
most of the time. Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ You have been with Alec Trent? ” 

“ Yes, Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ You have not attended to your unpacking yet? ” 


26 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ No, Aunt Lucinda.” 

“Nor seen to your room?” 

Blue Bonnet looked surprised. “ No, Aunt Lu- 
cinda; did you expect me to? I never did at 
home.” 

“ Then it is quite time that you began, Elizabeth. 
If you will come upstairs with me you shall have 
your first lesson. I consider it most necessary that 
a young girl should be taught to depend on herself 
as much as possible.” 

Blue Bonnet followed silently. Her room was 
just as she had left it on going down to breakfast 
that morning. Now, with the noon sunshine flood- 
ing it, and with Aunt Lucinda looking about with 
grave disapproving eyes, it looked very untidy in- 
deed. 

Blue Bonnet sighed longingly for Benita, as she 
picked up the dress she had worn the day before 
and carried it to the big empty closet. Then she? 
turned to the open trunk, out of which she had hur- 
riedly pulled various things needed in dressing, that 
morning. 

But Miss Qyde laid a detaining hand on her 
shoulder. “We will dispose of the things already 
out before unpacking further, Elizabeth.” 

The end of the next hour found Blue Bonnet far 
from at peace with all her particular world. 

“ As if it really mattered,” she said to herself, 
sitting forlornly in a corner of one of the low 


ELIZABETH 


27 


window-seats, “ which drawer you put things in ; 
or whether the quilt is on just so. And I haven’t 
been idling my morning, I’ve been making a friend ; 
and I don’t want to learn to keep house ; — any- 
way, Benita wouldn’t let me keep house if I could.” 

She sat up at the sound of a light tap on her 
door; then the door opened and her grandmother 
came in. 

“ I wanted to make sure you were really here, 
dear,” she said. “ You vanished so mysteriously 
right after breakfast that it was hard to believe you 
had ever come.” 

Blue Bonnet had come forward instantly. ‘‘ I 
didn’t mean to stay so,” she said ; I just ran out 
for a moment to see the garden — it was so good 
to get out after being shut up in the cars for so long. 
Then I got acquainted with the boy next door. 
He’s a very nice boy. Grandmother.” 

“ Alec is a nice boy, dear ; but, I am afraid, a 
rather lonely one.” 

Lonely ! When there are so many people and 
houses all around ? ” 

Mrs. Clyde smiled. One can be lonely in the 
midst of a crowd, dear.” 

She drew Blue Bonnet down on the lounge beside 
her. I hope you like your room, Elizabeth. I 
superintended the arranging of it myself.” 

And Blue Bonnet, looking about the big, pleas- 
ant room, saw it with new understanding. “ I — I 


28 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


love it,” she said; '' I’ll — try to keep it nice, Grand- 
mother.” 

“ You have had a pleasant morning, dear? ” 

Blue Bonnet hesitated. It was nice — while 
I was out-of-doors. Grandmother,” — she looked 
up questioningly, — have I got to do things 
every morning with Aunt Lucinda?” 

Do things, Elizabeth ! ” 

“ Why, going over my studies with her, and 
learning to do things about the house ; and then my 
practising, too ? ” 

‘‘ What would you like to do with your morn- 
ings, Elizabeth ? ” 

“ Nothing in particular, just be out-of-doors.” 

“ Won’t the afternoons be long enough for that, 
dear? ” 

I’ve never found the whole day really long 
enough for it. Grandmother. I just love being 
out.” 

** But, Elizabeth, school will be beginning before 
very long; and I think we must try and tame you 
down a bit before then. As for your studies, your 
aunt is anxious to learn what your standing is. 
Suppose, however, we let lessons go for this week. 
How will that do ? ” 

‘‘ Thursday, Friday, Saturday,” Blue Bonnet 
counted, “ besides this afternoon — I ought to get 
to know Woodford pretty well in that time. Grand- 
mother.” 


ELIZABETH 


29 


And when are we going to get to know you, 
Elizabeth ? ” 

“ Why ! ” Blue Bonnet said, “ I hadn't thought 
of that; but there’ll be the evenings.” 

Mrs. Clyde smiled. “ Remember, Elizabeth, that 
Woodford covers a fairly wide area; you mustn’t 
roam too far afield alone.” 

‘‘ Maybe Alec’ll go with me. I wish I had Don ; 
he went everywhere at home with me. He’s the 
dearest dog. Grandmother.” 

“ I rather think Don is happier where he is, 
dear; and now we must go down to dinner.” 

That afternoon Blue Bonnet was in her own 
room, just finishing a letter to her uncle, when Miss 
Clyde came to her door. ‘‘ Elizabeth,” she said, 
‘‘ Sarah Blake has come to call upon you. She is 
the minister’s daughter, a most estimable young 
person. I sincerely hope you may become friends.” 
She scanned Blue Bonnet critically. ‘‘ You would 
do well to change your gown and tidy your hair. 
Be as quick as possible; it is never good taste to 
keep a guest waiting.” 

Five minutes later. Blue Bonnet came slowly 
downstairs ; pausing on the landing long enough to 
declare under her breath that she was perfectly sure 
she should hate Sarah Blake. 

Sarah was waiting in the darkened front parlor. 
She was short and fair; rather unimaginative and 


30 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


decidedly conscientious. She very much disliked 
calling upon strangers, and for that reason had 
chosen the earliest opportunity to come and see 
Blue Bonnet. 

“ How do you do ? ” she said, as Blue Bonnet 
appeared. “ Mrs. Clyde asked me to come and see 
you. I hope you will like Woodford.” 

‘‘ So do I,” Blue Bonnet answered. Would you 
mind coming outside?” she added. ‘‘It’s much 
nicer.” 

They went out to the shady front piazza where 
Blue Bonnet drew forward a couple of wicker 
armchairs. “ Now I can see what you look 
like,” she announced frankly ; “ it was so dark in 
there.” 

Sarah looked rather uncomfortable at this. 

“ Aunt Lucinda says she hopes we will be 
friends,” Blue Bonnet went on. “ What do you 
like to do?” 

Sarah opened and closed her fan nervously. “ I 
like — keeping house, and going to school and — 
sewing — ” 

“ Please stop ! ” Blue Bonnet implored. “ I don’t 
mean those kinds of things. Don’t you like doing 
anything — sensible ? ” 

Sarah stared. “Sensible!” 

“ Well, what I call sensible — tiresome things 
can’t be really sensible, can they? ” 

It was a new philosophy for Sarah. 


ELIZABETH 


31 


‘‘ Are all the girls here like that ? ” Blue Bonnet 
asked. 

I — suppose so. Kitty Clark isn’t very domes- 
tic, I’m afraid.” 

Blue Bonnet registered a mental vow to get 
acquainted with Kitty Clark as soon as possible. 
“ Wouldn’t you like to see the garden? ” she asked. 

Sarah assented; she felt dizzy and bewildered. 
“ Mrs. Clyde has a very pretty garden,” she said, 
politely, as they went down the steps and along the 
trim box-bordered path. 

‘‘ It’s all right ! ” Blue Bonnet agreed. She 
gathered flowers with a generous hand. “ And 
now, what shall we do next?” she asked, giving 
them to Sarah. 

‘‘ I must be going,” Sarah answered. 

‘‘ But you’ve only just conie ! ” Blue Bonnet pro- 
tested. 

'' I think I have made a very long call,” Sarah 
said soberly; and indeed it may have seemed long 
to Sarah. 

Outside the gate, she stopped a moment. Texas 
girls were certainly rather exhausting, and yet she 
thought she should like Elizabeth Ashe. Perhaps, 
after she had been in Woodford a while, she would 
quiet down. 

Half an hour before supper Miss Qyde came 
round to the side piazza, where her mother sat 


32 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


reading. Mother,” she asked, “ have you seen 
Elizabeth?” 

Not since dinner time, Lucinda.” 

She does not appear to be anywhere about the 
place,” Miss Clyde said, rather anxiously. She 
is utterly irresponsible; Mr. Ashe should have sent 
her East long ago.” 

“ I think she is coming now,” Mrs. Clyde said. 

There was the sound of quick steps on the drive ; 
a moment after. Blue Bonnet, hatless, her white 
dress soiled and crumpled, appeared, carrying a 
small dog in her arms. 

Grandmother,” she cried, ‘‘Eve got a dog! I 
bought him from a boy up the road, — he was treat- 
ing him mighty mean.” 

What are you going to do with him, Eliza- 
beth ? ” Miss Clyde asked. 

Why, keep him. Aunt Lucinda. He’s a pretty 
dilapidated-looking specimen now, isn’t he? But 
wait until he’s had a bath and a few good meals. 
I reckon if ever a dog needed a good home, he 
does.” 

Blue Bonnet put the dog down and he made 
straight for Aunt Lucinda, crouching at her feet 
beseechingly. He was truly the forlornest of crea- 
tures, but with strangely pathetic, intelligent brown 
eyes. 

A moment Miss Clyde wavered ; then she moved 
away. I think those " good meals ’ cannot begin 


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ELIZABETH 


33 


too soon, Elizabeth,” she said. But he must stay 
down at the stable.” 

‘‘ Not for always? ” the girl cried. 

That will have to be decided later,” her grand- 
mother told her ; take him away now, dear.” 

‘‘ I think ril call him Solomon, he looks so wise,” 
Blue Bonnet said. Halfway down to the stable, she 
stooped to pat the dog’s rough head. “ Solomon,” 
she asked, “ how did you know that Aunt Lucinda 
held the deciding vote ? ” 


CHAPTER III 


TO MEET MISS ELIZABETH ASHE 

‘ Mrs. Clyde requests the pleasure of,’ — yes, 
Aunt Lucinda, — Kitty Clark, — she’s that red- 
headed girl. Aunt Lucinda ? ” 

'' Yes, Elizabeth.” 

‘‘ Well, I’ve requested ‘ the pleasure of Miss 
Kitty Clark’s company,’ all right,” Blue Bonnet ob- 
served a moment later. She sighed wearily. ‘‘ It 
would have been a whole lot easier if we’d just 
stuck a notice up in the post-office. Aunt Lucinda.” 

Elizabeth!” 

Under their long lashes. Blue Bonnet’s eyes 
danced mischievously. She was learning how to 
draw forth that particular note of shocked astonish- 
ment; and to rather enjoy doing it. 

Who’s next. Aunt Lucinda? ” she asked. 

That will be all.” 

Only six ! Why I’ve seen a heap of girls at 
church. Aunt Lucinda 1 ” 

A what, Elizabeth ? ” 

Ever ’n’ ever so many. Aunt Lucinda.” 

Certainly.” 

“ Won’t the others be disappointed?” 

Really, Elizabeth, I do not know.” 

34 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


35 


But, Aunt Lucinda, aren’t there to be any boys ? 
Isn’t Alec coming? ” 

‘‘ The invitations are all written, Elizabeth.” 

“ Don’t you like boys. Aunt Lucinda ? ” 

“ Suppose you direct the envelopes now, Eliza- 
beth.” 

Blue Bonnet bit her lips; she was not used to 
having her remarks set aside in this fashion. 

When the last envelope had been added to the 
little pile, lying on the desk before her, she drew 
a deep breath of relief. “ I think I’ll take Solomon 
for a run,” she said. 

. “ Have you done your practising yet, Eliza- 
beth? ” her aunt asked. 

No, Aunt Lucinda.” 

Then you would better go to it now ; by the 
time you are through I shall be at liberty to go over 
your Latin with you.” 

If you please. Aunt Lucinda, I’d so much rather 
go over the fields with Solomon, instead.” 

Elizabeth!” 

And Blue Bonnet, as she went across the hall to 
the dim back parlor, felt that Aunt Lucinda thought 
she had meant to be impertinent. “ When it was 
just the straight truth,” the girl said. As she went 
to throw open the blinds, the riot of color in the 
garden beyond caught and held her. It would be 
easier practising with a great bunch of fragrant 
nasturtiums beside her. 


36 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


But the nasturtiums took a long time to gather, 
particularly as Solomon, finding her there, kept 
making little rushes among the flower-beds — which 
were strictly forbidden ground. Solomon was get- 
ting more in evidence every day. Blue Bonnet had 
secret visions of the time when he should even be 
tolerated in the house. The stable, indeed ! she 
said now. You’re not going to stay that kind of 
a dog, are you, sir?” 

Solomon barked an emphatic negative. 

“ Doesn’t the air feel good, Solomon ? ” Blue 
Bonnet said. But I reckon I’ll have to be going 
back to the house. Take my advice, old fellow, and 
never go in for music in summer-time; there’s too 
much practising about it.” 

Elizabeth ! ” Aunt Lucinda called from the 
piazza. 

And Blue Bonnet obeyed hurriedly. 

“ You should have closed the blinds again when 
you were through in the parlor, Elizabeth,” Miss 
Clyde said. 

Blue Bonnet came to a sudden halt at the foot of 
the piazza steps. ‘‘ But, Aunt Lucinda, I wasn’t 
through ! I — I haven’t begun. It can’t be an 
hour! I only went out for a moment to gather 
some flowers.” 

“ Bring your Latin grammar, Elizabeth ; your 
practising must wait now until after dinner.” 

** But dinner isn’t till two o’clock. Aunt Lucinda I 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


37 


I won’t get through until nearly four! I sha’n’t 
have any afternoon at all ! ” 

Whose fault is that, Elizabeth ? ” 

Latin verbs did not progress very well that morn- 
ing; both teacher and pupil were glad when the 
hour was over. 

Blue Bonnet went to spend the intervening 
twenty minutes before dinner in the hammock on 
the front piazza. Uncle Cliff’s easy rule had hardly 
prepared the girl for the orderly, busy routine that 
life stood for in this staid old house. Mrs. Clyde, 
coming out presently, saw the shadow on Blue Bon- 
net’s face, and, bit by bit, drew the story of the 
morning from her. 

I didn’t mean not to practise,” the girl said ; 
but I was so tired writing those notes ; some 
of them got blotted and had to be done over; 
and I was wild to get out — and it wasn’t fair 
of — ” 

Careful, Elizabeth I ” 

Blue Bonnet colored. They forgot that she was 
fifteen and — and — mistress of the Blue Bonnet 
Ranch. 

Elizabeth,” her grandmother said, gravely, 
suppose you try to look at things from your 
aunt’s point of view. Remember, dear, she is try- 
ing to do her best by a very heedless, motherless 
girl.” 

All resentment vanished from Blue Bonnet’s blue 


38 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


eyes. Just before dinner she appeared before Miss 
Clyde, Latin grammar in hand. 

“ I think I know that verb now, Aunt Lucinda,’' 
she said. “ Will there be time to hear me say it? ” 

Miss Qyde took the book. 

Blue Bonnet did know that verb; knew it in all 
its various moods and tenses with the thoroughness 
her aunt delighted in. ‘‘ That was very well done, 
Elizabeth,” she said. 

And Blue Bonnet found the quiet words of com- 
mendation well worth while. 

Conversation during dinner, led by Mrs. Clyde, 
concerned itself chiefly with the coming tea-party. 
Tea-parties were unknown things to Blue Bonnet. 
It seemed to her that they were rather serious af- 
fairs. Especially did it appear too bad to go to so 
much trouble for so few guests ; and she could not 
get over her feeling of sympathy for those left out. 

“ These are the young girls from among whom 
your grandmother and I wish you to choose your 
friends, Elizabeth,” her aunt told her. 

‘‘ Then I’m not to like them all, Aunt Lucinda? ” 

“ Certainly, if you find them all congenial.” 

“ I hope some of them are a little more lively than 
Sarah Blake,” Blue Bonnet observed thoughtfully. 
‘‘ I don’t dislike Sarah, but I can’t say as I’m very 
keen on her — yet.” 

It is not good taste to criticize your friends, 
Elizabeth.^’ 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


39 


“ Fm not sure she is going to be a friend, Aunt 
Lucinda.” 

Elizabeth!” 

Whereupon, Blue Bonnet asked to be excused, 
and went to her practising. “ Fm getting a bit tired 
of being — ‘ Elizabethed,’ ” she said, screwing up 
the piano-stool with quite unnecessary vigor. 

Thursday, the day set for the tea-party, was in 
Blue Bonnet’s estimation a perfect day. Wednes- 
day had been decidedly hot ; but during the night a 
sudden change had come, and to-day the air was 
clear and fresh, with a touch of the coming fall in 
it. It sent the blood thrilling through Blue Bonnet’s 
veins, and made her if anything more careless and 
inconsequent than usual. 

All the morning the outdoor world was calling to 
her, getting in return more than one involuntary 
response. About noontime, Alec came whistling up 
the back path, Bob and Ben at his heels. Blue Bon- 
net was on the steps studying. 

Busy? ” he asked. 

Fm through now, thank Fortune I ” 

Then you can come ? ” 

‘‘Where?” 

“ Did you ever follow a brook? ” 

Blue Bonnet threw down her book and caught 
up her shade hat from a nearby chair. “ Let’s start 
right away ! ” 


40 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


They went down the path to where- a gate opened 
into a wide open meadow, Blue Bonnet whistling 
to Solomon as they went. 

At the foot of the meadow lay the brook; a 
sunny, quiet enough little brook, until, further on, 
it suddenly entered the woods, where it laughed 
and gurgled and tumbled headlong over rocks in 
the most delightful way. 

Halfway towards the woods, Alec halted. Wait 
a bit, Elizabeth,” he said, “ and I’ll cut back to the 
house and get Norah to put us up some lunch.” 

“ All right,” Blue Bonnet agreed, sitting down in 
the long meadow-grass to wait. The three dogs 
had disappeared on an important chase, and she was 
left all alone. From where she sat there was noth- 
ing to be seen but open fields and blue sky; and 
these sent her thoughts homeward. She had been 
two weeks in Woodford. Looking back now, they 
seemed to have been rather long weeks. She had 
spent so much of them indoors, and there had been 
so many things to be done, to be learned. 

Lying on her back in the tall grass. Blue Bonnet 
tried to imagine herself back on the prairie. She 
forgot that she hated the prairie. Oh, but it was 
good to be out in the open air and sunshine, doing 
nothing, wanting nothing, caring for nothing! 

Alec’s halloa brought her back to the present. 
He came up at a quick pace, a small covered basket 
in his hand. “ Was I very long? ” he asked. 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


41 


‘‘ Long enough for me to get to Texas and back/' 

‘‘ I’d like to have made the trip with you.” 

Blue Bonnet had scrambled to her feet. I think 
I shall come out here every day for a whole hour 
and do nothing,” she said. 

“ I do nothing every day at home — for more 
than an hour,” Alec answered. It’s pretty slow 
work sometimes.” 

They had reached the woods now, the brook a 
slender, noisy thread beside them. On and on they 
followed it; now on this side, now on that; talk- 
ing, laughing, growing better acquainted every 
moment. Ahead of them, the three dogs raced and 
barked and behaved in the absurd, carefree way 
usual with puppies. 

‘‘ Isn’t Solomon getting better-looking every 
day ? ” Blue Bonnet said. 

Is he ? He must have been a beauty at the 
start,” Alec declared. 

“ Oh, he isn’t a thoroughbred — except as to his 
feelings ; but he’s a mighty nice dog. He’s devoted 
to Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ Does she return his devotion ? ” 

“ I honestly think she does like him a little ; and 
she really is good to him,” Blue Bonnet said, so- 
berly. 

“ He’s having the time of his life now, all right,” 
Alec laughed. A moment later he came to a sud- 
den halt ; he had been fighting against the need for 


42 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


rest for the last half-hour. It was intolerable to be 
played out in this way, with Blue Bonnet showing 
not the slightest sign of fatigue. 

“ We might camp here,” he suggested. In spite 
of himself, he could not keep the tiredness out of his 
voice. 

Blue Bonnet looked up at him. ‘‘ Yes,” she said 
quickly, ‘‘ this will be fine.” 

They spread the napkin covering the basket over 
a flat stone and laid out the lunch. 

My, but I’m hungry,” Blue Bonnet declared. 
“ It’s fun, isn’t it, eating out-of-doors ? ” 

Alec nodded. 

“ I’m having a tea-party this afternoon,” Blue 
Bonnet said. Just a lot of girls, or you should 
have been invited.” 

‘‘ I’m afraid I don’t like tea-parties,” Alec 
laughed. 

“ This is my first. I think it’s going to be lots 
of fun; only I’m scared I sha’n’t do Aunt Lucinda 
credit.” 

“ There isn’t anything to do, except put on your 
best duds and act ‘ proper.’ ” 

Blue Bonnet took a second sandwich. But act- 
ing ‘proper’ in Woodford seems to mean such a 
lot.” 

“ What time does the shindig come off? ” 

“ Half-past five. Sarah Blake’s coming, and 
Kitty Clark, Amanda Parker, Debby Slade, and 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


43 


Ruth and Susy Doyle. I know Sarah and Debby; 
they’ve called. There are a lot of girls in Wood- 
ford, aren’t they? ” 

Loads. And I’ll bet my best hat that not a 
single one of them, if they had a tea-party on, would 
be off tramping the woods like this,” Alec said, pass- 
ing the apple turnovers and cheese. 

But it isn’t until afternoon ! ” Blue Bonnet ex- 
claimed. Oh, Alec, think how nearly summer is 
over ! School ’ll be beginning soon now. It’s going 
to be odd, having a woman teacher; I’ve always 
studied under tutors. I’ve had a lot of different 
ones. Aunt Lucinda says that largely accounts for 
my ' desultory habits.’ But I’ve read a good deal. 
Uncle Cliff used to have a box of books sent out 
every little while. I haven’t kept up my music very 
well — all of the tutors weren’t musical. I can play 
by ear, though ; but Aunt Lucinda says it would be 
better if I didn’t.” 

What makes you quote Miss Clyde so much ? ” 
Alec asked. 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “ Because it seems some- 
how as if it were Aunt Lucinda who was running 
this ranch.” She leaned back against a gnarled old 
stump. “ Sometimes I wish,” she said, “ that there 
were two of me — so that one of us could stay 
at home and be taught things, and behave nicely, 
while the other went wandering about as she 
liked.” 


44 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ You might adopt Sarah for your alter ego” 
Alec suggested. 

‘‘ It’s very puzzling — how people get mixed up. 
Sarah would have been such a suitable niece for 
Aunt Lucinda ; though I really don’t believe,” Blue 
Bonnet’s blue eyes twinkled, “ that she would have 
suited Grandmother as well as I do. Alec, it’s so — 
queer, being in a family where there are just 
women.” 

I’ve never tried it ; sometimes I’ve thought it 
seemed rather lonesome being in a family where 
there weren’t any women.” Alec commenced to 
gather up the dishes, tossing the scraps to the dogs. 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes were thoughtful. “ It’s 
strange how much we have in common. Oh, Alec, 
I ought to be doing that ! ” 

‘‘ It’s all done,” Alec answered. 

Sarah would’ve?” 

Yes, and washed the dishes in the brook, and 
tidied things up generally.” 

‘‘ But at home no one ever expected me to do 
anything like that,” Blue Bonnet explained ; that’s 
the reason I’m always forgetting now.” 

The talk drifted from Texas to Woodford and 
back again; broken by long pauses, in which each 
was content to sit silent in the soft green twilight 
of the woods, listening to the faint rustling of the 
trees overhead, the murmuring of the brook, and 
the occasional call of a bird. 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


45 


It was a good while before Alec looked at his 
watch ; then he sprang to his feet. “ Elizabeth, 
you’ve got exactly one hour and a half in which to 
make a two hour and a half walk, and get into your 
company duds.” 

Blue Bonnet stared up at him, too astonished to 
move. “ Alec, it isn’t four o'clock! " 

“ Three minutes after — now ! ” 

‘‘ And they don’t even know where I am ! ” Blue 
Bonnet gasped. 

“ We’ll have to do some pretty tall sprinting,” 
Alec said. 

It seemed to Blue Bonnet that after miles of hur- 
ried, heated scrambling they were still fathoms 
deep in those interminable woods. She felt that 
Alec was hurrying far beyond his strength ; but he 
would not let her go on without him. She had given 
up counting the numbers of times she had stepped 
into the brook instead of over it, and the tears in 
her skirt. 

Then at last, rounding a sharp curve, they saw 
the open meadow before them. They were crossing 
it when Alec held up his hand. Listen ! ” he said. 

Faint and clear through the summer stillness 
sounded the village clock, striking half-past five. 

Suddenly the humor of the situation struck Blue 
Bonnet. My first tea-party ! ” she gasped, be- 
tween paroxysms of laughter. 

Come on,” Alec warned her. There’s some 


46 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


one watching for you now down at the gate ; prob- 
ably there are scouts out in every direction.” 

The watcher was Delia, the second girl. Oh, 
Miss Elizabeth,” she cried, we’ve been looking for 
you everywhere ! ” 

At the back door. Miss Clyde met Blue Bonnet. 
‘‘ Elizabeth ! ” she exclaimed, in tones of mingled 
relief and displeasure, “ where have you been ? ” 

“ Following a brook with Alec, Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ With your guests waiting in the parlor, and 
tea-time set for half-past five ! Go up to your room 
at once — I have laid out your things — we will 
talk of this later.” 

Blue Bonnet stumbled blindly upstairs ; sitting on 
the floor to change her shoes and stockings, she 
could hardly see the lacings for the tears blinding 
her eyes. 

Everything went wrong ; strings went into 
knots; pins pricked her. Worst of all, her heavy 
hair got into a hopeless tangle. She was struggling 
with it desperately, trying to get out the bits of 
twigs and dried moss, when someone, coming up 
behind her, took the brush from her hands. ‘‘ Let 
me try, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Clyde said. 

Soon, as if by magic, the soft thick braid was 
ready for its white ribbon. And all the time Mrs. 
Qyde had not spoken again, but the look in her 
eyes was harder to meet than Aunt Lucinda’s dis- 
pleasure had been. 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


47 


“ Have I been very bad, Grandmother ? ” the girl 
asked, wistfully. 

I cannot say that you have been very consider- 
ate, Elizabeth.” 

Blue Bonnet’s lips quivered. Mrs. Clyde gave 
a few finishing touches to her white dress and hur- 
ried her downstairs. 

And all this time, in the big front parlor, six 
highly-starched, immaculate young people were try- 
ing to appear interested in the decidedly perfunctory 
conversation Miss Clyde was endeavoring to keep 
up ; carrying on among themselves at the same time 
little whispered exclamations of wonder and amuse- 
ment. 

Astonishment that anyone belonging to Miss 
Clyde could behave in such a way was only rivalled 
by the delightful uncertainty as to what might be 
to follow ; and when presently Blue Bonnet, flushed, 
apologetic, but extremely glad to see them all, made 
her appearance, they received her warmly, if a little 
shyly. 

In spite of its disastrous beginning, that tea-party 
was a great success, — a success due principally to 
Blue Bonnet herself. There was nothing stiff or 
formal about her; and her frank enjoyment of the 
society of so many girls of her own age was infec- 
tious. 

Tea in Woodford was usually followed by music ; 
and those of the girls who could play had come duly 


48 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


prepared. One by one, various old standbys were 
rendered, and then it was Blue Bonnet’s turn. 

There was a laugh in the girl’s eyes as she took 
her place at the piano. A moment later, not a girl 
in the room but was beating time to the gay little 
tune she was playing. 

Never before had such rollicking, joyous strains 
sounded through the sober old house. Mrs. Clyde, 
sitting by herself on the piazza, tapped the arm of 
her chair with her fan softly. 

I got that from one of the cowboys,” Blue Bon- 
net turned to explain ; “ you ought to hear him play 
it on his fiddle, and see the others dancing, and the 
camp-fire glowing.” 

Six pairs of eyes were fixed on Blue Bonnet. 

Oh,” Kitty cried, breathlessly, “ how could you 
ever bear to come and leave it ? — the ranch, I 
mean.” 

Blue Bonnet’s face sobered. Because — ” 

“ She had to come to go to school,” Debby Slade 
said. 

'' Yes,” Blue Bonnet answered, “ I had to 
come.” 

It was Sarah who made the first move to go, 
making it very prettily and very properly. 

Blue Bonnet promptly vetoed the suggestion; 
they would all go out on the piazza and sing songs 
and tell stories in the moonlight. 

But Sarah could be adamant when it was a case 


TO MEET MISS ASHE 


49 


of duty ; and Sarah’s ideas on duty were far-reach- 
ing. She was the eldest, and she felt that it was her 
place to set the example. 

So, although some of her flock threatened to 
prove rebellious, she presently led them upstairs to 
the best bedroom, to put on hats and gloves. 

Blue Bonnet, perched insecurely on the footboard 
of the big mahogany bedstead, beamed upon them 
one and all, urging them to drop in whenever they 
liked without waiting to be invited. 

“ I will, for one,” Kitty promised ; and, while the 
rest filed solemnly downstairs in line, Kitty pulled 
Blue Bonnet back, giving her a hearty hug. Oh, 
but I am glad you’ve come ! ” she said. 

Woodford etiquette required that Blue Bonnet 
should go with her guests to the front door — and 
no further. Blue Bonnet went gaily down to the 
gate. 

On her way back to the house, she suddenly re- 
membered her escapade of the afternoon, and what 
Aunt Lucinda had said. Perhaps Aunt Lucinda had 
forgotten by now. 

One glance at Miss Clyde’s face, on re-entering 
the parlor, dispelled any such hope. Blue Bonnet 
took sudden heart of grace. 

Aunt Lucinda,” she said, going up to where her 
aunt stood waiting for her, “ it was a very nice 
party, and I’m very much obliged to you, and I — 
I am sorry I was late, I — ” 


50 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


'' You should not have gone at all, Elizabeth,” 
Miss Clyde said gravely. 

The reproof which followed, if a little severe, 
was not unjust. Blue Bonnet listened silently, but 
her face expressed both astonishment and indigna- 
tion. Never before had she been talked to in that 
fashion — and after she had said she was sorry, too. 
Her one desire was to get away. 

‘‘ Is that all. Aunt Lucinda? ” she asked, the in- 
stant Miss Clyde stopped speaking. 

“ That is all, Elizabeth, except,” Miss Clyde’s 
voice softened a little, that I very much regret 
having had to speak to you like this and that I hope 
it need not occur again. You may go now. Good 
night, Elizabeth.” 

‘‘ Good night. Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet an- 
swered steadily; but, once on the other side of the 
parlor door, her breath caught in a quick sob, and 
later, as she buried her wet face in her pillow, she 
told herself miserably that she never, never could 
live up to Aunt Lucinda’s requirements. 


CHAPTER IV 


SCHOOL 

Blue Bonnet came down to breakfast the next 
morning considerably less debonair than usual. 

“ And how do you like tea-parties, Elizabeth ? 
her grandmother asked. 

'' Very well, Grandmother. And I like the girls, 
all of them.” 

Breakfast over. Blue Bonnet went upstairs to put 
her room in order. It was a task for which habit 
was by no means bringing any liking, and which 
had frequently to be done over. To-day, however, 
bureau drawers were closed, rugs straightened, and 
the bedclothes put on most carefully. Aunt Lu- 
cinda should find nothing to complain of that morn- 
ing. 

Miss Qyde, glancing in a little later, gave a nod 
of satisfaction ; if only Elizabeth would do her best 
every day. ‘‘ Your room looks very nice, Eliza- 
beth,” she said, as Blue Bonnet came to do her 
Latin. 

‘‘Yes, Aunt Lucinda,” the girl said; “are you 
ready now ? ” 

Altogether, Miss Clyde felt greatly encouraged 
that morning; but Blue Bonnet’s grandmother, 
61 


52 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


watching the sober face bent over her book, sighed 
softly. 

“ Lucinda,” she asked, when Blue Bonnet had 
left the room, what have you been doing to Eliza- 
beth? — she is not the same child this morning.” 

“ I spoke very plainly to her last night about her 
behavior yesterday afternoon. I am glad to see that 
it has taken effect.” 

“ I imagine Elizabeth has not been used to plain 
speaking.” 

“ Probably not. She has been spoiled outra- 
geously.” 

I do not think the spoiling has gone very deep. 
Gentleness and patience will do much towards eradi- 
cating it, I believe. We must remember how irreg- 
ular the child’s upbringing has been for the past ten 
years.” 

For that very reason — ” Miss Clyde began, 
but stopped speaking as Blue Bonnet came back. 

Elizabeth,” she said a few moments later, 
glancing to where the girl stood idly by one of the 
sitting-room windows, how would you like to go 
into Boston with me this afternoon ? ” 

Blue Bonnet turned eagerly. May I, Aunt Lu- 
cinda? And could we go to the Museum? Alec’s 
told me such a lot about the Museum.” 

“ Suppose you go over and ask Alec to go with 
us. But hurry right back; we’ll get the twelve 
o’clock train and lunch in town.” 


SCHOOL 


53 


And Blue Bonnet did hurry, tearing headlong 
across the lawn to the stile, Solomon barking at her 
heels. 

Miss Clyde watched her for a moment. ‘‘ Who 
could ever dream she was fifteen ! ’’ she exclaimed. 

If only she might stay fifteen, Lucinda,” her 
mother answered ; “ granting we can keep her that 
long — eighteen will so soon be here.” 

Blue Bonnet enjoyed her afternoon immensely; 
she had never dreamed Aunt Lucinda could be so — 
well, lovely. 

The three had lunch at a quiet little restaurant 
in one of the side streets, before going to the 
Museum. 

At the latter, Alec showed Blue Bonnet all his 
favorite pictures, laughing over her comments, 
which were not always favorable; and the two 
wandered about from room to room, while Miss 
Clyde rested. 

It’s all been perfectly lovely,” Blue Bonnet de- 
clared warmly, as the train drew into Woodford 
station that evening. 

It has been jolly,” Alec agreed. Thanks ever 
so much. Miss Qyde.” 

“ We must go again,” Miss Clyde answered. 

Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet said just before 
bedtime, looking up from the piazza steps, where 
she had been sitting in silence for some moments. 


54 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ it’s very uncomfortable, not being friends with 
people.” 

“ Who aren’t you friends with, dear? ” 

“ I wasn’t friends — altogether — with Aunt Lu- 
cinda this morning ; but — well, she certainly did 
behave beautifully this afternoon.” 

The darkness hid the quick smile on Mrs. Qyde’s 
face. 

Saturday was a fairly uneventful day; but by 
Sunday morning. Blue Bonnet was entirely herself 
again. It was a beautiful morning and she was up 
and out early, coming in very late to breakfast, her 
arms full of wild flowers and bracken, her dress 
torn, her hair blown and tangled. 

I just couldn’t bear to come in at all,” she ex- 
plained, beamingly, laying her treasures down on 
the breakfast table : it’s too lovely in the woods.” 

“ Go and put your flowers in water and make 
yourself presentable as quickly as possible, Eliza- 
beth,” her aunt said. 

■Some of the brightness vanished from Blue Bon- 
net’s face. She gathered up her flowers in silence 
and left the room, returning in a few moments to 
take her place at the table. 

‘‘ It must have been delightful in the woods this 
morning,” Mrs. Clyde said. 

It was. Grandmother ! I’m going right back as 
soon as breakfast is over,” Blue Bonnet announced. 


SCHOOL 


55 


There will not be time before church, Eliza- 
beth,” Miss Clyde told her. “ You will have to 
hurry, as it is.” 

“ But IVe decided not to go to church this morn- 
ing, Aunt Lucinda. IVe been two Sundays, you 
know. It was dreadfully tiresome — the sermon. 
Mr. Blake does so remind me of Sarah.” 

Elizabeth!” 

‘‘ He does. Aunt Lucinda. I like him out of 
church, all right. I wouldn’t mind going to church, 
if they’d have it out-of-doors, the way we used 
to sometimes on the ranch when the missionaries 
came. The singing does sound so good out-of- 
doors.” 

“ There is not time to argue the matter, Eliza- 
beth,” Miss Clyde said, quietly. ‘‘ Finish your 
breakfast ; then go and get ready for church.” 

Blue Bonnet’s cheeks were crimson. ‘‘ But I 
said I was not going. Aunt Lucinda.” 

Miss Clyde rose. “ I have told you what I wish 
you to do, Elizabeth ; we will not discuss the matter 
further.” She left the room to give her directions 
to Delia. 

And Blue Bonnet, not wishing, in her present 
mood, to be left alone with her grandmother, pushed 
her chair back from the table and ran hastily up- 
stairs to her room. 

She would not go to church ! If Aunt Lucinda 
had asked — Aunt Lucinda must learn, once for 


56 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


all, that she was not a child to be ordered to do 
things. 

Blue Bonnet set about doing up her room, doing 
it with a thoroughness not born, in this instance, 
from the best of motives. In any case, there was 
not time for both ; and it was Aunt Lucinda’s own 
teaching that the duty nearest at hand must be done 
first. 

“Has Elizabeth come down. Mother?” Miss 
Lucinda asked some time later, coming out to the 
veranda where her mother sat waiting, ready for 
church. 

“ Not yet,” Mrs. Clyde answered. 

Miss Clyde turned to Delia, who happened to be 
crossing the hall. “ Please tell Miss Elizabeth that 
we are waiting for her.” 

Delia was soon back. “ Miss Elizabeth says she 
isn’t going to church this morning, ma’am.” 

Miss Clyde finished buttoning her gloves, and 
opened her parasol. “ I am ready. Mother,” she 
said. 

Blue Bonnet heard them go. All at once, the 
big house seemed very empty and still. Her room 
was in order, her morning lay before her ; but free- 
dom had lost its charm, the woods no longer called 
to her. 

Aunt Lucinda had had no right to spoil her 
day — her day that had begun so beautifully — she 
told herself, staring out into the sunlit garden with 


SCHOOL 


57 


mutinous eyes. It was quite impossible to keep 
friends with Aunt Lucinda ; she should not try any 
more. 

And then, quite unaccountably, there flashed 
across the girl’s mind the memory of that last night 
at home. It almost seemed as if she could hear her 
uncle saying, “ And, Honey, you won’t forget what 
your father said: that you were to try to live as 
he had taught you to ride, straight and true.” 

Straight and true ! 

She wasn’t living very straight this Sunday morn- 
ing; and it hadn’t been true — pretending to her- 
self that there wasn’t time. 

Just before the sermon, during the singing of the 
hymn. Blue Bonnet came hurriedly down the middle 
aisle to the Clyde pew, and slipped into her place 
between her grandmother and aunt, standing a little 
nearer Miss Clyde than usual, and offering to share 
her hymn-book, instead of her grandmother’s. 

Involuntarily, Miss Lucinda cast a swift, compre- 
hensive glance over the flushed white-clad figure. 
Then she drew a quick breath of reassurance : evi- 
dently Delia had lent a helping hand. 

Blue Bonnet heard little of the sermon, save the 
text, ‘ I am the good shepherd, and know my 
sheep, and am known of mine.’ ” 

The words sent her eyes to the window opposite : 
‘‘ Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Clyde Ashe.” 


58 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


The sunlight, shining through the rich, softly 
glowing colors, brought into relief the figure of 
The Good Shepherd with the lamb in his arms. 
And, suddenly. Blue Bonnet was a little child again, 
sitting in her mother’s lap, in the early twilight of 
a summer Sunday, listening to the parable of The 
Good Shepherd. 

Grandmother, glancing down at the grave, seri- 
ous face, wondered what the girl’s thoughts were — 
and where? Hardly in Woodford, for it was with 
a little start of recollection that Blue Bonnet came 
back to the present, at the ending of the sermon. 

But in the singing of the closing hymn her voice 
rang out sweet and clear — 

“The King of love my Shepherd is, 

Whose goodness faileth never; 

I nothing lack if I am His, 

And He is mine forever.” 

It was a very silent walk home; even Blue Bon- 
net had little to say. She had declined Kitty’s invi- 
tation to walk with her; declined, also, to explain 
to that curious young person why she had come so 
late to church. 

More than once during that walk. Blue Bonnet 
glanced a little doubtfully at her aunt; but the 
moment they reached home she followed Miss Clyde 
to her room. 

‘‘ Please, Aunt Lucinda,” she said, standing just 


SCHOOL 


59 


inside the doorway, ‘‘ won’t you say what you’re 
going to right away? I’d like to have it over.” 

Miss Clyde smiled. ‘‘ It won’t take long, Eliza- 
beth. After this, your grandmother and I would 
like to have you ready to go with us on Sunday 
morning.” 

I will — truly. Aunt Lucinda. But is that 
all? ” 

I think there need be nothing more, dear.” 

Blue Bonnet went downstairs very soberly. 
Decidedly one could be friends with Aunt Lu- 
cinda. 

Towards dusk that evening, it suddenly occurred 
to Miss Qyde that Elizabeth had not been in evi- 
dence for some time. I do hope,” she said, “ that 
we are not to have any more — encounters, to-day. 
Elizabeth knows we expect her to stay at home on 
Sunday evening.” 

‘‘ Elizabeth’s intentions are so much better than 
her memory,” Mrs. Clyde answered. 

A moment or two later. Blue Bonnet came around 
the corner of the house, Solomon at her heels. 
‘‘ May he come up on the piazza for a few moments. 
Aunt Lucinda ? ” she asked. “ Seeing that it is 
Sunday?” 

‘‘ Seeing that it is Sunday, I suppose he may,” 
Miss Clyde answered ; only how is he to distin- 
guish between Sunday and Monday ? ” 

I reckon I’ll have to go on doing it for him — 


60 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


for awhile. He’s getting to be a very nice dog, 
Aunt Lucinda. Denham says he’s a good part 
water-spaniel.” 

Miss Clyde patted the head Solomon had laid 
confidingly on her knee. It’s a long while since 
we’ve had a dog about the place. Where have 
you been, Elizabeth? I haven’t seen you since 
supper.” 

Not out of bounds. Aunt Lucinda; I’ve been 
down at the stable.” 

‘‘ Down at the stable, Elizabeth ! ” Miss Clyde 
looked as though she thought Blue Bonnet had not 
been strictly within bounds. 

‘‘ Visiting Denham — he liked it so much, and so 
did 1. The horses are getting to know me. Aunt 
Lucinda; you see, I take them sugar and fresh 
clover. I’ve been telling Denham about the ranch, 
and he’s been telling me about — before Mamma 
went to Texas.” 

“ Denham has been asking me when we were go- 
ing to get you a saddle-horse, Elizabeth,” Grand- 
mother said. 

He said something about it to me to-night, 
Grandmother. I told him I — didn’t want one.” 

Mrs. Clyde looked surprised, but relieved. She 
had expected Blue Bonnet to ride; and if she rode 
in the haphazard fashion she did most things, there 
would have been a good many anxious moments 
ahead for Lucinda and herself. 


SCHOOL 


61 


Solomon,” Blue Bonnet said, “ I reckon you’d 
better be going back now.” 

Solomon cocked a protesting ear; he was quite 
content to sit there on the piazza steps and view the 
landscape. Solomon was a sociable dog and, though 
fond of Denham, thoroughly enjoyed being in com- 
pany. Most of all, he enjoyed being wherever Blue 
Bonnet was. 

** Solomon ! ” Blue Bonnet said warningly. 

Solomon rolled over on his back, waving his feet 
in the air; from the corner of one eye he watched 
to see what would happen next. 

Leaning over. Blue Bonnet culYed him lightly but 
firmly — which was hardly what Solomon had been 
looking for. 

“ Solomon, I told you to go,” his mistress said; 
and Solomon went. 

He minds pretty well, don’t you think ? ” Blue 
Bonnet asked. I don’t believe he’s ever had to 
mind before he came here, and it comes a bit hard ; 
but he’s got a lot of sense, and when he once under- 
stands that he — ” Blue Bonnet stopped speaking 
rather abruptly, as her eyes met her grandmother’s. 
Jumping up, she went indoors. 

A moment later, from the parlor came the plain- 
tive sound of an old Spanish melody, that chimed 
in well with the softly gathering twilight. 

‘‘ Elizabeth has her mother’s touch,” Mrs. Clyde 
said. 


62 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Yes/' her daughter answered. Blue Bonnet's 
mother had been very dear to the graver, older sis- 
ter. It had not been easy for her to put her affec- 
tion into words ; but it had been none the less true 
and strong. Sometimes Miss Clyde thought that 
the girl's likeness to her mother hurt almost as 
much as it comforted her. 

‘‘ I wish we might have had the child earlier," 
she said. ‘‘ It would have been easier for both 
sides." 

Mrs. Clyde was smiling. She ‘ minds pretty 
well. I don’t believe she’s ever had to mind before 
she came here, and it comes a bit hard; but she’s 
got a lot of sense, and when she once understands 
that she — ' Elizabeth has preached her own ser- 
mon, Lucinda ; and I think we may safely trust her 
to make the application.” 

Blue Bonnet looked up at the old red brick Acad- 
emy, half in curiosity, half in dismay. “ It’s not 
very — cheerful-looking, is it. Aunt Lucinda ? Did 
you like going to school here ? ’’ 

Yes, Elizabeth, and I hope you will like it, 
too.” 

If I don’t I suppose I can stop going," Blue 
Bonnet said thoughtfully; and Miss Clyde let the 
remark pass. 

Blue Bonnet followed her aunt upstairs, with 
heart beating faster than usual. Here and there, 


SCHOOL 


63 


through open doors, she caught glimpses of different 
classrooms. Should she have to sit at one of those 
little cramped-up desks ? 

Presently, Miss Clyde stopped before a glass 
door, on which was printed in large black letters. 

Principal’s Office.” A moment later, Blue Bon- 
net was being presented to a tall, scholarly looking 
man who spoke to her very pleasantly, hoping she 
would enjoy her school life in Woodford. 

I understand from your aunt that you have 
never been to school. Miss Elizabeth,” he added. 

‘‘ But I’ve had tutors,” the girl answered. “ The 
last one was fine — he was there a good while ; he 
only went away last June.” 

Mr. Hunt turned to a little table standing by one 
of the windows. “ Will you sit down here, Miss 
Elizabeth? I should like to see how much those 
tutors have taught you, so as to decide where to 
place you.” 

Blue Bonnet stood her examination very well. 
She had a bright intelligent mind ; and her instruc- 
tion, though not at all systematic according to Miss 
Clyde’s ideas, had been fairly thorough. In some of 
her studies, those she liked best, she was ahead of 
most girls of her age, and the daily drill her aunt 
had given her the past three weeks had proved most 
beneficial. 

She came home that afternoon, jubilant. '' I’m 
in Kitty’s class. Grandmother,” she announced, de- 


64 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


lightedly. “ All of us tea-party girls are in the 
same class. The teacher’s name is Miss Rankin. 
I’m afraid she looks rather determined.” 

For the first few days Blue Bonnet enjoyed the 
novelty of school life thoroughly. Her classmates 
found her delightfully amusing, more so than her 
teacher did. She was so frankly astonished over all 
the little rulings of the classroom. ‘‘ What a lot of 
things there are to remember ! ” she told Kitty. 

By the middle of the second week, the unaccus- 
tomed drill and routine had become monotonous. 

Blue Bonnet came home from school one after- 
noon, flushed and impatient. It seems to me,” 
she said, standing by one of the sitting-room win- 
dows and restlessly twisting the curtain cord back 
and forth, that school’s a fearfully over-rated 
place.” 

“ What has gone wrong, Elizabeth ? ” her grand- 
mother asked. 

‘‘ Nothing very much. Grandmother; but I do 
think that tutors are a long sight — ” 

‘‘ Are what, Elizabeth ? ” Miss Clyde interposed. 

A great deal more accommodating than women 
teachers. I’m not sure that I shall like going to 
school.” 

It might be wiser to give it a longer trial before 
deciding, dear,” Mrs. Clyde suggested quietly. 

Anyhow, the ‘ rankin’ officer ’ isn’t — ” 

‘^Who, Elizabeth?” 


SCHOOL 


65 


That’s what Kitty calls Miss Rankin, Aunt 
Lucinda. She isn’t very considerate — Miss Ran- 
kin, I mean. You wouldn’t like it, if she made you 
lose your recess, just because you changed your 
seat.” 

Why did you change your seat ? ” 

I do get so tired of sitting in one place ; be- 
sides, the view from the other one was a lot — a 
great deal — more interesting.” 

‘‘ Elizabeth ! ” Miss Clyde exclaimed. “ One 
would think you were five, instead of fifteen ! 
Where are your books? You did not bring them in 
with you ? ” 

Blue Bonnet turned quickly. ‘‘ Que asco! I for- 
got to bring them home ! ” 

Elizabeth ! ” her aunt said, “ I have told you 
that I did not wish you to use that expression ! ” 

“ It only means. Aunt Lucinda — ” 

I do not care to hear its meaning. Perhaps, 
if you go back to school at once, you may be able 
to get your books.” 

‘‘ I’ll go see. Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet an- 
swered cheerfully. 

Two hours later, she reappeared; but without 
her books. I am tired,” she said, throwing her- 
self back in an armchair ; ‘‘ I’ve been out to 
Palmer’s — the Hill Farm, Aunt Lucinda — and 
carried the baby — she’s about three years old — all 
the way. And I haven’t been for my books,” she 


66 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


added hurriedly. “ You see, I met little Bell 
Palmer and the baby down here at the corner ; they’d 
wandered all the way in from the farm, and the 
baby had hurt her foot, and they were both crying. 
I started right home with them. I thought maybe 
there’d be a team going that road, but we never met 
one going in the right direction, and it’s a pretty 
lonely road, you know. Mrs. Palmer was glad to 
see us. Her husband was away, and she hadn’t 
any one to send.” 

Those Palmer children are always running 
away,” Miss Clyde said. “ It was very kind of you, 
Elizabeth, to take them home, but how about your 
lessons for to-morrow ? ” 

‘‘ I reckon it’ll mean being kept in. Aunt Lucinda ; 
that’s what the ‘ rankin’ ’ — Miss Rankin seems 
to do to them when they fail too badly. It’s 
very silly of her, I think; she just has to stay her- 
self.” 

“ I should not like it to be that, Elizabeth ; par- 
ticularly under the circumstances. For this time, 
you may go down to the parsonage after supper, 
and study with Sarah. Delia shall call for you at 
nine o’clock.” 

That’ll do finely. Aunt Lucinda.” 

So, after supper. Blue Bonnet presented herself 
at the parsonage. 

But how came you to leave your books at 
school, Elizabeth ? ” Sarah asked. 


SCHOOL 


67 


‘‘ Forgot them,” Blue Bonnet answered, serenely. 
“ One can’t remember everything all the time.” 

“ But — ” Sarah’s tone was suggestive. 

And sometimes one can’t remember anything 
any of the time,” Blue Bonnet added. 

They went into Mr. Blake’s study, where Sarah 
lighted the low reading-lamp and drew two very 
straight-backed chairs up to the table. 

“ I wish you wouldn’t look so businesslike, 
Sarah,” Blue Bonnet said. “ You make me feel 
tired.” 

“ Elizabeth, don’t you ever take anything seri- 
ously ? ” Sarah asked gravely. 

“ Not lessons, at all events,” Blue Bonnet 
laughed. Come on. I’m ready. Let’s do our 
problems first.” 

‘‘ You’re so quick, Elizabeth,” Sarah said, when 
the last book had been laid aside. It’s nice study- 
ing together, isn’t it ? ” 

‘‘Did you like it, really?” Blue Bonnet asked. 
“ I thought maybe you’d think it a bother. Oh, 
Sarah, I’ve thought of the loveliest name for us 
girls — the ‘ We are Seven’s.’ ” 


CHAPTER V 


AN INVITATION 

Uncle Joe came around to the front veranda, 
where Mr. Ashe sat looking rather lonely. “ Any 
news from Boston and vicinity in that there mail ? ” 
he asked. 

Mr. Ashe handed him Blue Bonnet’s latest letter. 

“ Hm, she don’t run much to length, does she? ” 
Uncle Joe commented. So she’s going to school 
— and wishes schoolrooms were built without walls. 
Aunt Lucinda’s very kind, but Grandmother’s a 
darling. My lady can get a lot of meaning into a 
few words, can’t she. Cliff? 

But it was the postscript which gave Uncle Joe 
most delight. 

I suppose,” Blue Bonnet had written, ** it’s on 
account of everything being so different that I keep 
thinking of the ranch. Anyhow, I think you might 
write me more about it, Uncle Cliff.” 

‘‘So, my lady!” Uncle Joe chuckled. 

“ She seems fairly contented,” Mr. Ashe said. 

Uncle Joe grunted something unintelligible. 

“ At least, she doesn’t say anything about want- 
ing to come back,” Mr. Ashe went on. 

“ I’ve heard before that the whole point of a 
68 


AN INVITATION 


69 


woman’s letter was pretty apt to lay in the post- 
script,” Uncle Joe remarked; and I reckon this 
ain’t any exception to the rule. She’s a spunky little 
piece. Blue Bonnet is. Of course, she ain’t going 
to say she wants to come back — leastways, not 
yet.” 

Meanwhile, the spunky little piece ” was curled 
up comfortably in a big armchair at one side of the 
fireplace in the Trent library. Opposite her sat Alec, 
flushed and hoarse from a cold, but otherwise quite 
contented. Between the two. Bob, Ben, and Solo- 
mon sprawled in lazy comfort. 

Outside, the September wind drove a fierce rain 
against the windows, making the warmth and bright- 
ness within doubly pleasant. 

The Trent household, being, with the exception 
of Norah, a purely masculine establishment, was in 
Blue Bonnet’s eyes a delightful place. It’s so nice 
and untidyish,” she said now, looking about the 
pleasantly littered room. 

“ Thanks,” Alec laughed. 

‘‘ There’s never any dust over at our place.” Blue 
Bonnet leaned forward to poke one of the great 
glowing logs. It’s perfectly lovely to have a whole 
afternoon free; but I earned it this morning — I 
behaved like an angel of light — and then as soon as 
dinner was over, before Grandmother had gone up- 
stairs, I asked if I might come here and do my duty 


70 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


^towards my neighbor this afternoon. Fm awfully 
glad Aunt Lucinda approves of you, Alec.” 

“ So am 1.” 

It really was very good of her to say yes, 
seeing what disgrace I got into yesterday after- 
noon.” 

Alec looked interested. “ Go on,” he said. 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes were dancing. Well,” she 
began, yesterday was ‘ tea day.’ ” 

‘‘ Was what ? ” 

‘‘ ‘ Tea day,’ ” Blue Bonnet repeated. “ You see, 
every one of those six girls was bound to ask me 
back in turn, and return; they’re all over now but 
one. At first, it was fun — the going, you know; 
and then,” Blue Bonnet leaned forward confiden- 
tially, “ it got kind of monotonous. There were just 
the same girls, and we did the same things. Then, 
yesterday morning, Amanda’s invitation came for 
next Friday. Alec, after I got started yesterday 
afternoon, I couldn’t for the life of me remember 
whether it was Amanda’s turn this week and 
Debby’s next, or Debby’s this time and Amanda’s 
next. Amanda’s house came first and I saw Sarah 
going up the steps, so I turned in there. I’d reasoned 
it out by that time that it was Amanda’s turn — 
Amanda’s the sort of girl to come tagging along 
towards the end. Mrs. Parker came to the door. I 
thought she seemed rather surprised ; she didn’t look 
very partified. I said I hoped I wasn’t too early. 


AN INVITATION 


71 


She asked me into the parlor, and that didn’t look 
very partified either. Pretty soon Sarah came down 
with Amanda, and they both had their hats on! 
Alec, if I’d only had sense enough to keep still! — 
but I just plumped down on the sofa and began to 
laugh. All I could think of was that I was too 
early — a whole week too early ! ” 

Alec leaned back, shaking with laughter. “ Eliza- 
beth,” he declared, “ you’re better than a tonic! ” 

“ The worst of it was,” Blue Bonnet said, that I 
tried to explain. It seemed awfully funny to me at 
the time ; but when I told about it at home. Aunt 
Lucinda couldn’t see anything funny in it. There 
was a laugh in Grandmother’s eyes, though, — only 
she didn’t mean me to see it.” 

Alec rose. “ I think Norah’s gone upstairs now; 
suppose we go make some of that pinochie you’ve 
been talking about ? ” 

They found the kitchen empty. Alec went down 
cellar for the nuts, first showing Blue Bonnet where 
the brown sugar, butter, and cream were kept. 

‘‘ I haven’t made candy before since I came East,” 
Blue Bonnet said, as the pleasant odor of the melting 
sugar and butter filled the kitchen. 

I daresay there’s a lot of things you used to do 
you haven’t been doing,” Alec answered. 

And some I have been — that I used not to do 
on the ranch. Alec, do you like school ? ” 

“ I don’t mind it.” 


72 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Do you suppose anyone really likes it? ” 

Sure.” 

“ Sarah says she does — Sarah always does seem 
to like doing disagreeable things. Kitty says she 
has a perfect talent for making herself uncom- 
fortable.” 

‘‘ Kitty’s talent lies more in the direction of ma- 
king other people uncomfortable,” Alec laughed. 

“I like Kitty!” 

So do 1.” 

“ It isn’t the lessons I mind,” Blue Bonnet said, 
stirring her candy slowly ; ‘‘ but it’s horrid staying 
indoors so much. At home I used to study out-of- 
doors in fine weather.” 

By the time the candy was done, Norah had come 
down again, grumbling good-naturedly over their 
invasion of her kitchen. 

‘^You’ll stay to supper, Elizabeth?” Alec asked, 
as they took the candy out to the shed to cool ; and 
Blue Bonnet accepted the invitation as frankly as she 
would have given it in like case. 

“ Grandfather’s in Boston,” Alec said. ‘‘ I say, 
Norah’ll make us flapjacks. And you’ll let us have 
them out here, won’t you, Norah? — where we can 
have them right hot from the griddle.” 

“ In the kitchen. Master Alec? ” Norah exclaimed. 

“ It’ll be lovely,” Blue Bonnet declared ; ‘‘ I’ve 
always wanted to eat in a kitchen — like I’ve read 
about doing.” 


AN INVITATION 


73 


Alec drew forward a small round table. “ I used 
always to have my supper at this,” he said, “ before 
I got big enough to dine with Grandfather.” 

Blue Bonnet was looking on with interested eyes ; 
watching Norah stir up the batter, and Alec, as 
he came and went from the dining-room, bring- 
ing the dishes and old-fashioned silver syrup- 
pitcher. 

'' Oh, dear ! ” she cried suddenly. ‘‘ There’s a 
knock — I feel it in my bones that it’s for me.” 

“ It’s Delia, Miss,” Norah said, opening the door ; 

she says as how Miss Clyde thinks you must’ve 
forgotten how late it is.” 

“ Look here, Elizabeth,” Alec told her, “ you 
tell Delia to tell your aunt that you simply can’t 
come now — that the flapjacks are all ready.” And 
Blue Bonnet obeyed literally. 

Supper over, she and Alec went back to the 
library; where Alec piled the logs high in the great 
fireplace, and drew the heavy crimson curtains, 
shutting out the night. He was whistling as he 
did so, and suddenly Blue Bonnet came toward 
him. 

Oh,” she cried, “ do you know that? ” 

Know what? ” 

'All the Blue Bonnets Are Over the Border ’ ? ” 

By way of answer, Alec turned to the piano and 
struck a few chords; then, in spite of his hoarse- 
ness, he sang with considerable expression — 


74 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ ‘ March ! March ! Ettrick and Teviotdale ! 

Why, my lads, dinna ye march forward in order? 

March ! March ! Eskdale and Liddesdale ! 

All the blue bonnets are over the border.’ ” 

Blue Bonnet’s cheeks were glowing. Now 
whistle it again,” she begged. 

“ Uncle Cliff used always to whistle it,” she ex- 
plained, when Alec had done so. “ That’s how 
I could tell he was coming at night. I would go 
to meet him as soon as I heard it.” 

“But why did he always choose that tune?” 

“ Oh, I reckon he liked it. Alec, I wish you 
knew Uncle Cliff.” 

“ So do I. What is he like ? ” 

“ He’s big and strong and good, and he’s never 
cross with me.” 

“ Grandfather’s ‘ big and strong and good, and 
he’s never cross with me.’ All the same, he’s terri- 
bly disappointed, and so am I.” 

“ Why ? ” Blue Bonnet asked. 

“ He wanted me to enter West Point. Grand- 
father’s a West Pointer.” 

“And you can’t?” 

“ How could I pass? ” 

“You mean you’re not — ?” 

“ Strong enough ? Yes.” 

“ So you’re a disappointment, too,” Blue Bonnet 
said slowly; “ but you can’t help it, and I — ” 

“ What are you talking about? ” 


AN INVITATION 


75 


** Never mind. There, I think that’s Delia again. 
I’ll have to go this time.” 

“ I wish I could go over with you,” Alec said, as 
Blue Bonnet slipped into her mackintosh, drawing 
the hood over her head. '' It’s been awfully jolly 
having you here. Wait, you’re going without your 
share of the candy.” 

I’ve had a lovely time,” Blue Bonnet said. 

It’s been so delightfully different from all those 
other tea-parties.” 

At any rate, you didn’t get here ‘ too early,’ ” 
Alec answered. 

As she stopped in the entry at home to take off 
her cloak and rubbers. Blue Bonnet hoped that 
Aunt Lucinda was not going to be difficult. It had 
been such a pleasant afternoon. 

But only Mrs. Clyde sat before the fire in the 
sitting-room; there was nothing equivocal in her 
smile of greeting. 

Were the flapjacks good?” she asked. 

I should think they were.” Blue Bonnet came 
to sit on the hearth-rug beside Grandmother ; Aunt 
Lucinda disapproved of her sitting on the floor, 
but Grandmother never seemed to mind. 

“I suppose there was maple-syrup, too?” Mrs. 
Clyde said. 

‘‘ Rivers of it. And we had them in the kitchen ; 
and, Grandmother, it was all perfectly delight- 
ful.” 


76 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Mrs Clyde smiled comprehendingly. “ Almost it 
makes one wish one were fifteen again, and could 
have flapjacks and maple-syrup for supper — in the 
kitchen.” 

'' Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet’s eyes were fixed 
on the softly glowing pine logs,” is a person to 
blame — for being afraid — when she can’t help 
it? ” 

‘‘ Afraid — of what, dear? ” 

“ Doing something.” 

Something that ought to be done, Elizabeth ? ” 

“ I don’t think it really — ought to be done, 
Grandmother.” 

Then it isn’t a question of mere right, or wrong, 
dear?” 

I don’t think so. Grandmother.” 

“Is it physical fear?” 

“I — think so.” 

“ Who is the person, Elizabeth ? ” 

“ Me, Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet answered, 
with more frankness than grammar. 

“You, Elizabeth!” . 

“Oh, dear! You’re just like Uncle Cliff! He 
said ' afraid ’ was an odd word for an Ashe to 
use.” 

“ And for a Clyde, Elizabeth.” 

“ I know ! I reckon I’m a disgrace to the family ; 
but I can’t help it. Grandmother.” 

“ Suppose you tell me what it is that you are 


AN INVITATION 


77 


afraid of, dear — and let me see what I think about 
that.” 

“ I can't tell you, Grandmother.” 

‘‘Then how am I to help you?” 

“You can’t — no one can.” 

“ Not even yourself? ” 

“ Myself least of all. Grandmother.” 

“ Have you tried ? And, dear, have you asked 
help? ” 

“ No, Grandmother,” the girl answered slowly. 
“I — I don’t know why it had to come to me — 
I used not to be afraid of — anything.” 

Mrs. Clyde smoothed the girl’s hair back from 
her flushed, troubled face. “If you would only 
tell me, dear.” 

“ I can’t,” Blue Bonnet rose ; “ I reckon I’ll go 
to bed now. Good-night, Grandmother. Where’s 
Aunt Lucinda?” 

“ Lying down ; she has a bad headache. Good- 
night, Elizabeth.” 

Upstairs before her aunt’s door. Blue Bonnet 
hesitated a moment; then she knocked softly. 

“ Come in,” Miss Clyde called. 

“ Grandmother told me you had a headache. 
Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet said ; “ I hope it’s 
better.” 

“ It will be by to-morrow. You have had a 
pleasant afternoon, Elizabeth ? ” 

“ Lovely, Aunt Lucinda ; I staid to supper, you 


78 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


know. Alec is a very satisfactory sort of friend. 
Aunt Lucinda, don’t you think boys really do make 
more comfortable chums than girls — in the long 
run ? ” 

In your case, my dear, I would much prefer 
to see you making a companion of Sarah Blake. 
Alec is a very nice boy; but in his way, he is quite 
as undisciplined as you are yourself.” 

“ I reckon that’s why we took to each other right 
off. Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ My dear, that is not a remarkably elegant way 
in which to express your meaning.” 

“ Maybe not. Aunt Lucinda — but it expresses 
it all right.” 

And Miss Clyde, not feeling equal for further 
discussion, let* the matter drop for the time being. 

Blue Bonnet ran hurriedly downstairs and out 
to where Kitty and Solomon were waiting for her 
in the garden. It was the Saturday after her tea 
with Alec, and the three were off for a long walk. 
Blue Bonnet had quite forgotten in these days that 
she hated walking. 

They went out on the old turnpike, which 
stretched ahead of them, straight and level, for 
miles. 

“Don’t you love Saturday afternoon, Kitty?” 
Blue Bonnet asked, throwing a stick for Solomon 
to chase. 


AN INVITATION 79 


Pretty well.” 

‘‘ And hate Monday morning ? ” Blue Bonnet 
added. 

“ I don^t think I do.” 

‘‘ Kitty, what’s that little house ’way over there? ” 
Blue Bonnet pointed to a low, weather-stained 
building far over to the left. 

‘‘ That’s the Poor Farm,” Kitty answered. 

Why do you call it the ‘ poor ’ farm ? I 
thought most of the land around here was pretty 
good ? ” 

Kitty collapsed on to a big stone by the side of 
the road to laugh, and, as soon as she could, explain. 

Blue Bonnet was much interested. “ Let’s go 
there,” she suggested. 

Kitty looked surprised. Why should we ? I 
don’t think I should like it.” 

“Have you ever been?” Blue Bonnet asked. 

“Certainly not.” 

“ Well, I’m going,” Blue Bonnet declared ; 
“ that’s the worst thing about you Woodford girls, 
you never want to do anything that you never have 
done.” 

“ We do too,” Kitty exclaimed ; she got up and 
followed Blue Bonnet. 

There were fences to climb and several wide 
fields to cross before they reached the narrow lane 
leading down to the bare, lonely old house, in which 
the town sheltered its few indigent poor. 


80 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


An old man sitting at one end of the long piazza 
nodded a greeting to them. 

Good afternoon,” Blue Bonnet said, stopping. 

“You come from Woodford?” the old man 
queried. 

“ Yes,” Blue Bonnet said, “ we’ve been taking a 
walk; it’s a beautiful day for walking.” 

“ You be Doctor Clark’s daughter,” the man said, 
looking at Kitty ; “ I mind seeing you ride by with 
your father. What’s your name?” he turned to 
Blue Bonnet. 

“ B1 — Elizabeth Ashe.” 

“ She’s from Texas,” Kitty told him. 

Into the old man’s faded eyes crept a look of 
wonder. “ Texas ! That do be a long ways off ! 
More’n a day’s journey, I guess?” 

“ More than that,” Blue Bonnet laughed. 

“ Come on, Elizabeth,” Kitty urged in an under- 
tone. 

But Blue Bonnet lingered a moment ; understand- 
ing, as Kitty did not, the little touch of interest 
their stopping had brought into the old man’s lonely 
day. 

“ That was Mr. Peters,” Kitty said, when at 
length Blue Bonnet had yielded to her repeated 
nudgings. “ How could you stay so, Eliza- 
beth?” 

“ I think he liked it. Kitty, mustn’t it be awful 
to be so old and — outside of everything?” 


AN INVITATION 


81 


“ He was outside of the house,” Kitty laughed. 
“ What do you mean by everything? ” 

I reckon you know all right,” Blue Bonnet an- 
swered. 

Kitty glanced about her. ‘‘ My, isn’t it the 
dreariest place ! ” 

Blue Bonnet looked at the broad stretch of open 
fields, backed in the distance by a low range of 
hills. For the moment the sun had gone behind 
a cloud, and the fields lay gray and bleak in the 
sombre light. To Blue Bonnet, the broad, level 
stretch had an attraction all its own. 

I like it,” she said. 

“ Well, I don’t,” Kitty declared. Do hurry, 
Elizabeth, we’re a long way from home.” 

A little further up the lane, they met an old 
woman sitting on a broken-down bar of fencing, 
her arms full of golden-rod. To Kitty’s dismay. 
Blue Bonnet stopped again. “ You like flowers, 
don’t you?” she said. 

Across her sheaf of yellow blossoms the old 
woman smiled up at her. Yes, deary, and 
these — they’re most as good as sunshine in a 
room.” 

Whereupon Blue Bonnet, attracted by something 
in the old woman’s manner, sat down beside her. 
“Do you live around here?” she asked. 

The wrinkled face inside the big calico sunbon- 
net quivered. “Me? I live back yonder,” the 


82 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


woman said, with a little nod in the direction of 
the poorhouse. “Where do you live?” she added 
hastily. 

“ Oh, I’m staying in Woodford,” Blue Bonnet 
answered. 

“No, you’re not,” Kitty murmured impatiently; 
“ you’re staying anywhere and everywhere out of 
it — that you can.” 

“ I ain’t been in to Woodford for quite a spell 
now,” the old woman said. “ ’Tain’t much use 
going to a place, where there ain’t anyone there 
going to be glad to see you.” 

“ Where are your folks ? ” Blue Bonnet asked 
sympathetically. 

“ Dead and gone, deary ; dead and gone. Old 
Mrs. Carew, she was the last of ’em. She was 
second cousin to me — I’d been staying with her 
for quite a spell. When she died, seems like I 
didn’t have anywheres else to go.” 

“Oh,” Kitty cried, “you’re Mrs. Prior!” She 
remembered the hot wave of indignation that had 
swept through Woodford over Mrs. Carew’s neg- 
lect to provide for her poor old relative. 

“ Yes, I’m Mrs. Prior,” the other answered. 
“ It used to be a pretty well-thought-of name ’bout 
here — Prior.” 

“If you had friends in Woodford, would you 
go to see them?” Blue Bonnet asked. 

“ Indeed I would, deary. It do get a bit lone- 


AN INVITATION 


83 


some, never going nowhere. And — it ain’t ’s if 
I hadn’t been used to things different.” 

“Will you come and see me?” Blue Bonnet 
asked impetuously. 

Mrs. Prior gasped. So did Kitty, though not 
from the same reason. Kitty was thinking of Miss 
Clyde. 

“ Elizabeth,” she said hurriedly, “ we must go.” 

But Blue Bonnet waited to lay a hand on one 
of the old woman’s workworn ones. “ When will 
you come?” she asked. 

“ We — Wednesday’s the day, deary.” 

“ Then come next Wednesday — and to supper. 
Good-bye until then.” 

“ But, deary,” Mrs. Prior called after the two 
retreating figures, “ you ain’t told me where to 
come to. Nor what your name is.” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “ I’m Elizabeth Ashe ; 
I’m staying with my grandmother, Mrs. Clyde. Do 
you know where the Clyde place is ? ” 

Mrs. Prior drew herself up. The Clyde place! 
And she was invited there to supper! 

“ Well,” Kitty exclaimed the moment they were 
out of earshot, “ whatever possessed you to go and 
do that, Elizabeth Ashe ! A nice scrape you’ve got 
yourself into! What do you suppose your aunt 
will say ? ” 

Blue Bonnet stopped short. “ I never once 
thought of Aunt Lucinda ! ” 


CHAPTER VI 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 

It was characteristic of Blue Bonnet that she 
told of that invitation the moment she entered 
the sitting-room, on her return. 

Blue Bonnet was growing fond of the large, 
rather formal sitting-room. Best of all, she liked 
it at this hour; with the twilight coming on, and 
with only the firelight filling the room, softening 
everything. 

“ Aunt Lucinda,” she said now, coming to a halt 
just inside the doorway, ‘‘ Pve invited company 
to supper for Wednesday. Mrs. Prior, from the 
town farm. She said she hadn’t any friends nor 
anywhere to go, and I felt so sorry for her that 
I asked her to come and see me.” Blue Bonnet 
paused, out of breath. 

From her side of the fireplace, Mrs. Clyde cast 
a swift glance of amusement at her daughter. 

“ Go and take your things off, Elizabeth,” Miss 
Lucinda said; “then come and explain.” 

It was a rather subdued Blue Bonnet who re- 
entered the room a moment or two later, and drew 
a stool up close to Mrs. Clyde’s chair. 

“ Elizabeth,” her aunt said quietly, “ first of all, 
84 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 85 


I should like to know what you were doing at 
the town farm? ” 

‘‘We were out on the turn-pike, Aunt Lucinda, 
and I saw the house — and we went over. Kitty 
didn’t want to go.” 

“ Kitty was quite right.” 

“ We didn’t go in. Aunt Lucinda. We met Mrs. 
Prior up the road. She is a very nice old lady. 
She was so pleased when I asked her. It must 
be very tiresome, having nowhere to go.” 

“Mrs. Prior,” Mrs. Clyde said thoughtfully; 
“why, you remember her, Lucinda? I always did 
think Hannah Carew treated her shamefully.” She 
laid a hand lightly on Blue Bonnet’s head for a 
moment. “ That was a very kind impulse, Eliza- 
beth. I think we must try to make this second 
tea-party of yours a success.” 

Blue Bonnet laid her head down on Grand- 
mother’s knee with a little sigh of relief. 

“Yes,” Miss Clyde said gravely; “but here- 
after, Elizabeth, I would like to have you consult 
either your grandmother or myself before inviting 
strangers to the house.” 

“Yes, Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet answered; 
the next moment, with recovered spirits, she was 
giving her grandmother an account of her walk. 

“ Far too long a walk,” Miss Lucinda said pres- 
ently; “it was almost dark before you reached 
home, Elizabeth.” 


86 A TEXAS BLUE BOXNET 


That’s because we stopped to talk,” Blue 
Bonnet explained ; “ Kitty didn’t want to stop.” 

Miss Clyde smiled slightly. I begin to think 
I have been wronging Kitty.” 

'' I don’t believe she’d have minded — only she 
thought it tiresome,” Blue Bonnet remarked. 

Tuesday afternoon Blue Bonnet came home from 
school in high spirits. “ Amanda Parker’s aunt 
— she lives on a farm. Aunt Lucinda — has invited 
Amanda and all of us girls out to supper to-mor- 
row,” she announced. “ She’s going to send the 
hay wagon in for us ; we’re to start from Amanda’s 
right after school. I can go, can’t I, Aunt 
Lucinda? Oh, I do hope it will be pleasant.” 

'‘You are invited for to-morrow, Elizabeth?” 
Miss Clyde asked. 

" Yes, Aunt Lucinda.” 

Miss Clyde waited a moment; then she said, 
“ I think you must have forgotten, Elizabeth, 
that you have a guest coming to supper to-mor- 
row.” 

" Oh! ” Blue Bonnet exclaimed; without another 
word, she turned and went to her practising. 

Very stormy were the chords that sounded 
through the quiet house for the next ten minutes, 
and the time kept deplorable; but for once. Miss 
Clyde let these irregularities pass unnoticed. 

Just before dusk Blue Bonnet ran down to 
tell Amanda that she could not go. Her coming 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 87 


was received with shouts of acclamation by the 
group of girls gathered on the Parker front 
porch. 

Blue Bonnet went straight to her point. “ I can’t 
go” she said. 

“ You can’t go! ” Kitty cried; '' I do think Miss 
Clyde might — ” 

“ It isn’t Aunt Lucinda. I — I’ve got company 
coming.” 

“ Bring her along,” Amanda said. One more 
W'on’t count. Is she from Texas?” 

“ No,” Blue Bonnet began, “ she’s — ” 

See that sne wears her old clothes,” Ruth in- 
terrupted ; “ we’re going to sit right down in the 
bottom of the wagon.” 

“ But — ” Blue Bonnet commenced again. 

“ She won’t mind that, will she ? ” Debby asked 
anxiously. 

“ She — ” Blue Bonnet was getting desperate. 
Be sure you both bring plenty of wraps,” Sarah 
interposed; “it’ll be cold coming home.” 

“ Will you listen to me ! ” Blue Bonnet stamped 
a foot impatiently. “ It’s old — ” 

Instantly, Kitty had flown at her and was shak- 
ing her vigorously. “ Elizabeth Ashe, didn’t I try 
to keep you from going over there Saturday after- 
noon? And you would go! And you would do 
it! And now^” she turned to the rest indig- 
nantly. “ It’s that old Mrs. Prior — over at the 


88 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Poor Farm. Elizabeth invited her to come to 
supper to-morrow ! ” 

‘‘ Mrs. Prior ! ” Amanda was the first to speak. 

“ You see, I couldn’t very well bring her along,” 
Blue Bonnet said. 

“ No,” Amanda agreed. 

“Did you really ask her to supper, Elizabeth?” 
Debby Slade asked wonderingly. 

“ Indeed she did,” Kitty exclaimed. “ I only 
hope, Elizabeth, you got the scolding you deserved 
when you got home ! ” 

“ Well, I didn’t,” Blue Bonnet answered quickly. 

“ Oh, dear,” Amanda said regretfully, “ I wish 
we could put it off, Elizabeth; but Aunt Hul- 
dah’ll be expecting us — and there wouldn’t be time 
to let her know.” 

“ There’s plenty of time to let Mrs. Prior know,” 
Kitty cried; “we’ll put her off. You and I’ll go 
out there to-morrow noon and tell her, Elizabeth. 
If we hurry all we can, there’ll be time enough.” 

But Blue Bonnet shook her head, “ I wouldn’t 
do it — for fifty rides. You saw how pleased she 
was, Kitty ! ” 

“ But she could come some other, time,” Kitty 
persisted. 

“ She’s coming to-morrow,” Blue Bonnet de- 
clared ; “ I must go back now — good-night, all 
of you.” 

“ I’m coming, too,” Sarah said ; and they went 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 89 


up the street together. At the parsonage gate, 
Sarah waited a moment before going in. “ That 
was very nice of you, Elizabeth,” she said a little 
hesitatingly. “No one ever expected that Mrs. 
Prior would have to go to the poorhouse. She 
felt it dreadfully.” 

Blue Bonnet glanced slowly up and down the 
village street, with its air of simple prosperity and 
homely comfort. Here and there, lights were 
flashing out through the twilight, mothers were 
calling their children home. “ How could you all 
let her go?” she asked. 

“Why, she had to!” 

“But why?” 

Sarah shook her head. “ I don’t know. I’ve 
never thought much about it — there wasn’t any- 
where else for her to go, I suppose.” 

“Why wasn’t there?” 

Sarah shook her head again. “ What queer 
questions you do ask, Elizabeth I ” 

Blue Bonnet w^nt on up the street to her own 
gate ; there she met Alec. “ Bet you a big apple 
you’ve been down to Amanda’s,” he said. 

“Yes — to tell her I can’t go.” 

Alec whistled. “ Wouldn’t Miss Clyde — ” 

“Why do you all light on Aunt Lucinda the 
first thing?” Blue Bonnet interrupted. “I’ve got 
company coming — that’s all.” 

“ Who?” 


90 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘A friend.” 

“Where from?” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes danced. “ The Poor Farm,” 
she answered, then ran on up the path without 
waiting to explain. 

“Well,” Kitty said to her the next morning the 
moment they met, “ what’ve you been doing now ? ” 

“ Coming upstairs,” Blue Bonnet replied. She 
tossed her books down on her desk. “ Do you 
know your Latin, Kitty ? ” 

“ I guess so.” 

“I don’t; I was planning a beautiful home for 
old Mrs. Prior last night instead of studying.” 

“Bother Mrs. Prior!” Kitty felt that the after- 
noon’s outing was shorn of half of its attraction. 
“ Elizabeth,” sh^ said, “ I’d like to shake you.” 

“You did last night,” Blue Bonnet answered; 
“ I’d advise you not to try it again.” 

“ You are the provokingest girl ! ” Had it been 
Sarah who had elected to devote her afternoon to 
Mrs. Prior, Kitty could have borne it bravely. 

Blue Bonnet had pulled out her Latin grammar 
and was hurriedly going over her lesson. Latin 
came the first thing after opening exercises; and 
Miss Rankin believed in thoroughness quite as 
firmly as did Aunt Lucinda; indeed, it seemed to 
Blue Bonnet that Miss Rankin and Aunt Lucinda 
were kindred souls. 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 91 


Recess that morning was rather a trial to Blue 
Bonnet. Talk of the coming outing was the only 
topic in the ‘‘ We are Seven ” set. It was hard 
to feel out of it all. Moreover, Kitty would not 
count the cause lost ; she coaxed and teased, scolded 
and reproached, until Blue Bonnet’s patience gave 
way. 

“ You talk as if I didn’t want to go! ” she pro- 
tested. 

''If you did, you would,'' Kitty declared, " only 
you care more for a tiresome old — ” 

" She isn’t tiresome, and she can’t help it if she 
is old. You’ll be old yourself some day — there’s 
no danger of your dying young, Kitty. And — 
and you all say it was a shame — her being sent 
to the poorhouse. If it was a shame, why didn’t 
someone prevent it? Then I wouldn’t have had 
to ask her to supper and lose my fun.” 

Which form of reasoning was too much for 
Kitty. Before she could think of a suitable retort, 
the bell had rung and Miss Rankin was requesting 
Elizabeth Ashe and Kitty Clark to come to order. 

Blue Bonnet was unusually prompt in getting 
home that noon; and equally slow about return- 
ing. Being just a little late to school did not 
worry Blue Bonnet in the least. 

During the afternoon Kitty buried the hatchet, 
forwarding a note by Ruth and Debby, in which 
she had written — " Never mind, I’ll get Amanda 


92 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


to ask her aunt to ask us all again — and I’ll take 
good care that you don’t go within a mile of the 
town farm for a week beforehand.” 

To which Blue Bonnet promptly wrote her an- 
swer, showing less discretion in her manner of 
doing it than Kitty had done. 

“ Elizabeth,” Miss Rankin asked, what are you 
doing? ” 

“ Writing a note. Miss Rankin,” the girl an- 
swered promptly. 

^‘To whom?” 

That isn’t a fair question. Miss Rankin.” 

Miss Rankin waived that point. “ You may 
read it aloud, Elizabeth,” she said. 

There was an instant hush. Blue Bonnet could 
and did break the rules in an easy-going, light- 
hearted way; but the little manoeuverings and con- 
cealments in which many of the girls were adepts 
had never seemed to her worth while. And now 
she had been caught red-handed, writing a note ! 

‘‘ I am waiting, Elizabeth,” Miss Rankin said 
sharply. 

Blue Bonnet’s color had risen. All right,” she 
answered clearly. 

There was another moment of waiting; then 
Miss Rankin said, “ Elizabeth ! ” 

‘‘Yes, Miss Rankin?” 

“ I told you I was waiting ! ” 

And again Blue Bonnet answered — “ All right.” 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 93 


“ Elizabeth, bring that note to me at once.” Miss 
Rankin’s own color had risen. 

There was a sudden flash of laughter in the girl’s 
eyes; going to the desk, she handed Miss Rankin 
the slip of paper, on which were written those 
two words — '' All right ! ” 

For a moment Miss Rankin did not speak; then 
she said, “ You may remain after school, Eliza- 
beth.” 

Blue Bonnet sobered instantly; and presently, 
as she sat with her geography open before her, 
she drew a breath of dismay. Aunt Lucinda had 
said that probably Mrs. Prior would come early, 
and that she had better come right home as soon 
as school was out, and now — 

It didn’t take Blue Bonnet long to make up her 
mind; it was a clear case of disobeying either 
Aunt Lucinda or Miss Rankin; on the whole, she 
preferred the latter course. 

And when Miss Rankin, who played the march 
for the pupils, came back to her room after dis- 
mission, she found a little note on her desk and 
her bird flown. 

Dear Miss Rankin,” — she read — ‘‘I simply 
can’t stay this afternoon; but I will to-morrow, 
if you like. Elizabeth Ashe.” 

Mrs. Prior was there when Elizabeth reached 
home. Miss Clyde was out; but Mrs. Clyde had 
invited the guest upstairs to her own sitting-room. 


94 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


where she was doing her best to entertain her; 
choosing carefully all such topics as could by no 
roundabout road lead up to the poor old woman’s 
present place of abode. 

Blue Bonnet, coming to sit between the two with 
her embroidery, learned a rare lesson in tact and 
gentle courtesy that afternoon. It was pretty to 
see how, under Mrs. Clyde’s skilful touch, the little 
woman from the town farm lost her fear and 
sel f-consciousness. 

Presently she leaned forward, taking Blue Bon- 
net’s work from her. ‘‘You must make the 
stitches so, deary,” she said. 

Mrs. Clyde smiled, “ Elizabeth looks upon needle 
work as a penance. I’m afraid.” 

“ How beautifully you do it,” Blue Bonnet said 
admiringly. “ I never could learn to make them 
so even.” 

Mrs. Prior flushed with pride ; “ I was always 
called a good needle-woman. It’s naught but 
pleasure to me.” 

Blue Bonnet looked down at her brown fingers, 
slender and pliable, but which as yet had not taken 
kindly to the needle. “ You can do some on mine, 
if you like,” she suggested. “ I should think you’d 
like a change from your knitting.” 

“You watch me, deary — maybe you’ll pick up 
some ideas that way,” Mrs. Prior answered. 

A moment later, Miss Lucinda came in, bringing 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 95 


a whiff of the fresh outdoor air Blue Bonnet had 
been longing for all the afternoon. She saw the 
girl’s flushed cheeks, the tired droop of her shoul- 
ders. “ Elizabeth,” she said, “ I think Mrs. Prior 
would like a bunch of our chrysanthemums; they 
are unusually fine this year.” 

In the garden Blue Bonnet found Alec. He 
knew by now who Blue Bonnet’s company was; 
Kitty had enlightened him that morning. 

How’s the guest of honor getting on?” he 
asked. 

“ Finely.” Blue Bonnet led the way to the shel- 
tered corner of the garden where the chrysan- 
themums grew. “ Got your knife, Alec ? I 
always do forget to bring out the garden scis- 
sors.” 

Under her direction, Alec cut a great cluster 
of the big white, yellow, and tawny blossoms. 

“Don’t you love them?” Blue Bonnet laid her 
face caressingly against one of the round feathery 
balls. “ Alec, do you know — Aunt Lucinda isn’t 
half bad.” 

“No, nor even a quarter,” Alec answered; 
“hasn’t she just invited me to supper?” 

They went in together. Delia was setting the 
table. She brought Blue Bonnet one of the big 
blue canton jars to fill with chrysanthemums. 

“But it isn’t supper-time yet, Delia?” Blue 
Bonnet asked. 


96 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“It will be soon, miss,” the other answered; 
“ Miss Clyde ordered supper early for to-night.” 

“ Then I reckon I’d best go tidy up a bit,” Blue 
Bonnet said to Alec; “I won’t be long.” 

She came down again to find him in the parlor 
playing old-time songs for Mrs. Prior. 

Mrs. Prior seemed to have grown several inches 
that afternoon. And when, soon after supper, 
she announced she must be going, and Miss Clyde 
ordered the carriage, her cup of joy was full. 

To Blue Bonnet’s delight, her grandmother sug- 
gested that the two young people go too for the 
drive. 

“ But come straight home again, Elizabeth,” 
Miss Clyde added. “ Remember, you have not 
studied your lessons yet.” 

Which reminder brought a sudden disquieting 
remembrance of Miss Rankin to Blue Bonnet’s 
mind. A remembrance which the brisk ride in the 
fresh air and Mrs. Prior’s heartfelt thanks for 
her afternoon’s pleasure soon quieted. 

The next morning on her way to school. Blue 
Bonnet met Miss Rankin. “ Good morning,” she 
said hurriedly. “You — you got my note. Miss 
Rankin?” 

“ Good morning, Elizabeth. Yes, I got your 
note; I have not yet decided what to do about it.” 

“To do. Miss Rankin? But I told you I would 
stay to-day.” 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 97 


To-day is not yesterday, Elizabeth.” 

‘‘Isn’t it just as good?” Blue Bonnet asked 
so innocently that a gleam of amusement showed 
in Miss Rankin’s eyes. 

“ Maybe,” Blue Bonnet suggested, “ I’d better 
explain why it was I couldn’t stay yesterday.” 

Miss Rankin answered that she thought so too. 

Thereupon, Blue Bonnet told her of that first 
tea-party in her honor, of her coming home late 
for it, and of Miss Clyde’s displeasure. “ And 
so, when I was going to have company yesterday, 
I couldn’t be late again — could I, Miss Rankin?” 
she asked. 

And Miss Rankin, coming closer in this short 
walk to the real Blue Bonnet than she had in all 
these weeks the girl had been under her charge, 
felt herself weakening. “ Nevertheless, Eliza- 
beth,” she said, as they reached the schoolhouse, 
“ it must not happen again ; and I think it must 
be this afternoon — for the sake of the precedent.” 

Blue Bonnet gave her a quick upward glance 
of mischief. “ ‘ All right,’ Miss Rankin,” she 
answered. 

On the stairs, she overtook Kitty. “ Did you 
have a good time yesterday?” she asked. 

“ Immense,” Kitty answered. “ But it would 
have been a good deal — immenser — if you hadn’t 
ratted, Elizabeth Ashe.” 

“ I didn’t — I had a previous engagement.” 


98 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


I hope you had a horribly stupid time/’ 

I didn’t ! Mrs. Prior was — ” 

“ Now you look here, Elizabeth,” Kitty inter- 
rupted, '‘you needn’t go talking to me about the 
joys of compensation ! ” 

" I won’t talk to you at all if you don’t behave. 
Kitty, I’ve been thinking — ” 

" Glad to hear it,” Kitty observed ; " did it come 
hard, Elizabeth?” 

“ And I think,” Blue Bonnet went on, " that 
it would be ever so nice if each of you girls would 
invite Mrs. Prior to supper in turn.” 

" She might come ' too early,’ ” Kitty said — 
“ ' a whole week too early.’ ” 

" Kitty ! Honestly, don’t you think it would be 
nice ? ” 

"Nice for whom?” 

" For Mrs. Prior. Kitty, you’re just horrid this 
morning.” 

Kitty balanced herself on the edge of her desk. 
" Sarah,” she called, " just come listen to this ! ” 
Sarah did listen, — Blue Bonnet enlarging upon 
her theme enthusiastically, — weighing the matter 
before she spoke, in a fashion that never failed 
to drive the impatient Kitty frantic. 

"There! You’ve looked like you were getting 
ready to say, ' ninthly, my dear brothers ’ quite 
long enough, Sarah,” she protested. " Isn’t it the 
most unheard-of plan?” 


TEA-PARTY NUMBER TWO 99 


I think it is a very nice idea,” Sarah said 
calmly, ‘‘ only I’m not sure that it’s at all practi- 
cal.” 

“ Practical ! ” Blue Bonnet cried. “ Who wants 
a thing to be — practical ! ” 

“ We’ll talk it over this afternoon after school,” 
Sarah said. 

“ I can’t — I’ve got to stay,” Blue Bonnet wailed. 
“ Oh, couldn’t you both stay, too ? — then we could 
talk it over.” 

“ Elizabeth, are you perfectly daft? ” Kitty cried. 
“ I’d like to see what the ‘ rankin’ officer ’ would 
say to such a proceeding ! What’ve you got to stay 
to-day for? You stayed yesterday.” 

“ No, I didn’t,” Blue Bonnet answered ; and 
went on to explain. 

Sarah looked shocked; Kitty howled with glee 
— Elizabeth Ashe, you’re more fun than a circus ! 
Only I’d advise you not to play that little game 
again — else you’ll be having an interview with 
Mr. Hunt.” 


CHAPTER VII 


THE CLIMAX 

Blue Bonnet's suggestion regarding Mrs. Prior 
did not win favor with her mates; one or two of 
them agreed with Sarah that it would be ‘‘ nice, 
but — ” and after a few fierce protests she let the 
matter drop. 

It was a glorious Autumn, with sharp, stinging 
nights and mornings, and warm, hazy days. Blue 
Bonnet spent every available moment — not to 
mention a good many of the other kind — out-of- 
doors. And every day, the girl’s thoughts were 
more and more of the Blue Bonnet Ranch. All 
unconsciously, the longing to be back on it, to be 
leading again the old, careless, carefree life, crept 
into her letters, — bringing much joy to Uncle 
Cliff, and making Uncle Joe shake his head 
delightedly. 

Not that her days in Woodford were not, in the 
main, happy ones. She had a knack of getting a 
good share of all the fun there was going. And 
there was a good deal going, off and on. 

“ Elizabeth,” Kitty called after her one Friday 
afternoon, as they were leaving school, “ Amanda 
and I’ve been concocting such a scheme — we’re all 
100 


THE CLIMAX 


101 


going nutting to-morrow afternoon up in the 
Parker woods — we seven and some of the boys — 
I guess Alec ’ll go.” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes shone. It will be fun, won’t 
it.J^” 

'' I’m not through yet. We’re going to make it 
a riding party ; all of us ride except Sarah — of 
course you do. She says she doesn’t like it, but 
it’s my private opinion that she’s afraid. Anyhow, 
she can drive — we’ll • need some place to put all 
the baskets.” 

Grandmother hasn’t any saddle-horses,” Blue 
Bonnet said. At her tone, Kitty glanced round 
sharply. 

“ Get one at the livery,” she said. What’s the 
matter, Elizabeth? You look — ” 

How do I look?” Blue Bonnet demanded. 

Queer. Shall we go round by the livery now, 
and see about your horse?” 

I don’t believe Aunt Lucinda would like me 
to. Kitty, I think I’ll drive with Sarah.” 

You’re mighty fond of Sarah all of a sudden! ” 

‘‘ Well, I got fond of you all of a sudden.” 

Come on up to Amanda’s and talk things 
over,” Kitty proposed, as they came to the corner 
of the street leading up to the Parkers’. 

'' I must go on home,” Blue Bonnet answered 
hurriedly. 

You’re getting dreadfully well-behaved all at 


102 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


once, Elizabeth,” Kitty protested ; luckily, it won’t 
last long.” 

Good-bye,” Blue Bonnet answered. And be- 
cause she felt herself a coward and despised herself 
accordingly, she went on up the street at even a 
brisker pace than usual with head held very 
high. 

Near her own gate, Alec overtook her. ‘‘ You 
have been making a speed record,” he laughed; 
“ what’s up ? ” 

“ Nothing.” 

‘‘ Go tell that to your grandmother ! Come on 
over,” he added as Blue Bonnet halted, her hand 
on the gate. It’s baking-day, and our west piazza’s 
a jolly place this time of the afternoon.” 

“ I reckon I ought to go study,” Blue Bonnet 
said; but she went on with Alec. 

The Trent west piazza was broad and square; 
a big hammock hung at either end; there were 
low, comfortable chairs and one or two tables, 
littered with books and magazines. 

Alec brought out a plate of Norah’s fresh cookies 
and a dish of apples. 

Blue Bonnet leaned back in a big wicker rocker, 
looking out across the leaf-strewn lawn in silence. 
Alec watched her wonderingly ; something had gone 
wrong. 

“Miss Rankin been cutting up?” he asked. 

Blue Bonnet shook her head. . “ At least, no 


THE CLIMAX 


103 


more than usual. Alec, she has a perfect passion 
for facts.'’ 

“ And your supply is not always equal to her 
demand ? " 

“ Indeed it isn’t. Still, she hasn’t been very 
uncomfortable to-day.” 

Going to-morrow afternoon? ” 

I — don’t know.” 

‘‘You don’t know ! I thought you’d be pretty 
keen over it?” 

“I’m not.” 

Alec tossed her an apple. “ That’s a good one ; 
give me your reasons — in exchange.” 

“ There’s only one ; but it’s equally good. I’m 
not sure that I want to.” 

Alec whistled. 

“You’re going?” Blue Bonnet asked. 

“ I was ; it’s a pretty ride — a bit rough at the 
last.” 

Blue Bonnet turned, an expression in her eyes 
that Alec could not understand. He was leaning 
a little forward, a flush on his thin, eager face. 

“ I reckon you’re not afraid of — anything, 
Alec ? ” she asked. 

Alec half laughed. “Yes, I am — of not being 
able to do all I want to. It’s a beastly bore — not 
being up to things.” 

“ Yes,” Blue Bonnet said slowly, thinking that 
there were worse things than that even. “ Here 


104 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


comc^ General Trent,” she added. Blue Bonnet 
liked the General, liked the old-fashioned courtesy 
of his manner towards her. 

“ How are you to-day. Miss Elizabeth ? ” he 
asked now, taking the chair Alec offered. 

“ Oh, Em always well,” she answered, and 
regretted her words the moment she had said them. 

And you are getting too fond of Woodford 
ever to leave it ? ” 

“ I’d like to go as far as Boston, now and then. 
General.” 

“ Oh, Boston belongs to Woodford.” 

“ She’ll be going back to Texas one of these 
days,” Alec said. 

The General turned to him. “ Brown tells me 
that Victor hasn’t been out for a day or so, Alec, 
I thought you rode every day.” 

“ I mean to. Grandfather.” 

The General studied the boy a little anxiously; 
he had never been able to understand how a grand- 
son of his could be so delicate. Then he turned 
to Blue Bonnet again. “ You must miss your 
rides. Miss Elizabeth? Come to think of it, I 
haven’t seen you riding since you came. Can’t you 
find a horse to suit you here in Woodford ? ” 

“ I haven’t tried. General.” 

Alec, watching her, saw the girl’s quick color 
rise. It set him to thinking; to remembering, as 
his grandfather had, that he had never seen Blue 


THE CLIMAX 


105 


Bonnet riding. Of course she did ride — a Texas 
girl! 

That little mare of Darrel’s,” the General was 
saying, “ she ought to suit you. Miss Elizabeth. 
Shall I speak to Darrel about her for you? She’d 
make a fine match for Victor — that would get 
you out oftener, Alec. Mustn’t get lazy, my 
boy.” 

Blue Bonnet rose hastily. I must go now. 
Thank you very much. General — only, please don’t 
bother.” 

No bother at all — merely a pleasure. Miss 
Elizabeth,” the General assured her. 

“ You’re in a tremendous hurry all at once,” 
Alec said, as he crossed the lawn with her. 

Blue Bonnet did not answer. At the top of the 
stile, she suddenly faced down upon him with 
flaming cheeks. “ Alec, he mustn’t do it — don’t 
let him!” 

“ Let who — do what ? ” 

“Your grandfather — I don’t want the horse! 
I won’t ride her.” 

Alec stared up at her. “ Why not ? ” 

“ Because — I’m afraid ! ” 

“ Afraid ! you afraid ? ” 

“ Yes,” she said. “ And that’s the reason I don’t 
want to go to-morrow. I won’t ride.” 

“But why — ” 

“I told you!” 


106 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ I mean — Elizabeth, I can’t understand. You 
have ridden ? ” 

All the color left the girl’s face, her eyes grew 
wide with some remembered horror. ‘‘ Yes, I’ve 
ridden,” she said; “and I’ve seen — -others ride.” 
Suddenly she sat down, her hands over her face; 
but she was not crying, as Alec at first supposed, 
only drawing deep shuddering breaths. 

“Elizabeth,” he begged, “what is the matter?” 

She looked up. “ Nothing. You — you’ll tell 
the General — what I asked you ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ I reckon you think I’m a coward. Maybe, you 
won’t want to be friends any more ? ” 

“ Nonsense! ” 

“ And — you won’t tell anyone? ” 

“ You know I won’t.” 

Blue Bonnet brushed back her hair. “ I’ll have 
to go in now. Oh, dear! I forgot Aunt Lucinda 
always likes me to report after school. Aunt 
Lucinda has such a lot of notions.” 

“Are you just home from school, Elizabeth?” 
Miss Clyde asked, when Blue Bonnet appeared 
indoors. 

“ No, indeed. Aunt Lucinda, I’ve been over at 
Alec’s.” ^ 

Miss Clyde sighed; it was a very expressive 
sigh; it seemed to Blue Bonnet that it followed 
her all the way upstairs. “ As if I hadn’t troubles 



“ ‘ I RECKON YOU THINK i’m A COWARD. MAYBE YOU 

won’t want to be friends any more.’ ” 



s 


I 


THE CLIMAX 


107 


enough of my own without being sighed over,” the 
girl protested. 

Blue Bonnet was dusting the parlor the next 
morning, when Alec came over. He was whistling 

All the Blue Bonnets,” and in response she went 
to one of the open windows. 

“ Do come in,” she cried; I’m nearly through.” 

Can’t you come out ? ” 

‘‘ I’m afraid not — to stay.” By way of com- 
promise, she sat down on the window sill, while 
Alec perched opposite on the piazza railing. 

‘‘ Alec,” Blue Bonnet said emphatically, I want 
you to bear me witness that I hate dusting.” 

Alec laughed. 

“ I think the person who invented claw-foot 
furniture and all those detestable, twisted posts, 
and so on — ought to be publicly anathematized,” 
Blue Bonnet declared. “ I like nice, plain, light- 
colored furniture — that don’t show the dust.” 

“ A pretty house you’d have ! ” 

“ I shouldn’t stay in it any more than I could 
help, anyway.” 

“ See here, Elizabeth, I haven’t time to discuss 
social economics — ” 

‘‘What are they?” 

“ I’m going to drive you and Sarah in the dog- 
cart this afternoon — that horse of the Blakes isn’t 
precisely a Maud S. — and it would be too bad if 


108 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


you two only got there in time to come home with 
the crowd.” 

“ I’m not sure I’m going.” 

“ I am. A picnic without you wouldn’t be a 
picnic. With you, it’s pretty likely to be all sorts 
of a one.” 

Alec, I wish you wouldn’t.” Blue Bonnet’s 
face was very serious. 

“ You can’t always have your own way, Miss 
Ashe.” 

“ Your grandfather expects you to ride.” 

“ I’ll go for a turn this morning. Any more 
objections up your sleeve? It’s a good bit of a pull 
up there, anyhow.” 

‘‘As if that was your real reason!” Blue 
Bonnet smiled across at him very gratefully. 

Alec swung himself down from the railing to 
the ground. “Half-past two, then; by the way, 
you’re all to come back to our house to sup- 
per.” 

There was nothing sober about Blue Bonnet’s 
smile this time. She went back to her dusting 
with fairly good grace, doing it so much more 
carefully than usual that when Miss Lucinda made 
her customary tour of inspection, there was not 
a great deal to be gone over. 

“ Sometimes, Elizabeth,” her aunt said, “ I have 
hopes of making a housewife of you, in the end.” 

“ I wish you hadn’t. Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet 


THE CLIMAX 


109 


answered soberly ; “ then perhaps you’d give up 
trying.” 

Elizabeth ! ” Miss Clyde said reprovingly. 

“I mean it, Aunt Lucinda — truly.” 

** You may go to your mending now, Elizabeth.” 

Mrs. Clyde had charge of the weekly mending 
hour ; which, in some measure reconciled Blue 
Bonnet to it. 

“ Grandmother,” she asked, bringing her work- 
basket into Mrs. Clyde’s room, did Mamma like 
to sew ? ” 

“ I am afraid not, dear. She had, as you have, 
her father’s love of outdoor life.” 

Blue Bonnet slipped her darning-egg into the toe 
of a stocking. ‘‘ I wish I had known Grand- 
father. I suppose,” she added, “ that Mamma had 
to learn? ” 

‘‘Yes, dear; every gentlewoman should know 
how to use her needle.” 

“ Was it here she used to learn — in this room? ” 

“Yes, Elizabeth — sitting in that very chair.” 

Blue Bonnet passed a hand gently over the worn 
arm of the little old-fashioned sewing-chair. The 
talk between grandmother and granddaughter, dur- 
ing sewing hour, was generally of Blue Bonnet’s 
mother. Gradually the girl felt herself drawing 
nearer the mother she remembered rather dimly, 
coming to know her through the life she had led 
as a girl in this quiet old house. 


no A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ Grandmother,” the girl looked up suddenly, 
am I really like Mamma ? Benita says so — but 
am I really ? ” 

Very, Elizabeth.” 

‘‘ I am glad — I should like to be like Mamma 
■ — ‘ the little Sehora,’ they call her at home yet. 
Grandmother, I wish you could see the ranch ! ” 

“ I have seen it, many a time — through your 
mother’s eyes.” 

“You mean, in her letters? Could she make 
you do that?” 

“ You shall see for yourself some day, dear.” 

“ When, Grandmother ? ” 

“ Some day.” 

Blue Bonnet threaded her needle a little impa- 
tiently. “ If you were Uncle Cliff, Grandmother, — 
I’d have those letters right straight off.” 

Mrs. Clyde smiled. “ And if Uncle Cliff had 
"been like me — ?” 

“ I reckon I haven’t made Uncle Cliff see much 
in my letters — they’ve been rather — scrappy. I 
so hate to write letters.” 

“ Isn’t that a little hard on Uncle Cliff, Elizabeth ? 
Think how he must look for those letters ! ” 

“ I reckon I’ll have to make them longer.” Blue 
Bonnet held up her stocking for inspection. 

“ Very well done, Elizabeth. I shall make a 
needlewoman of you yet.” 

Blue Bonnet looked dubious. “ By the time 


THE CLIMAX 


111 


you’ve made ' a needlewoman ’ of me, Grand- 
mother, and Aunt Lucinda’s made ‘ a housewife ’ 
of me. I’m afraid there won’t be any of the real 
me left” 

“ No fear of that,” Mrs. Clyde answered. You 
know, the owner of the Blue Bonnet Ranch must 
be an all-round person.” 

And somehow. Blue Bonnet quite forgot to 
mention that she intended to sell as soon as she 
came of age. 

Blue Bonnet was ready and waiting, when Alec 
came for her that afternoon. Grandmother let 
me have my dinner earlier,” she told Alec; “ Grand- 
mother is such an accommodating person.” She 
looked very trig and jaunty in her brown skirt and 
reefer; her crimson tam-o’-shanter and hair-bow 
giving her a touch of color. 

“ I’ll get in back, so as to sit with Sarah,” she 
said. “ We’ll put the baskets in front with you, 
Alec.” 

Grandmother came out to see them off. Mind 
you take good care of Elizabeth, Alec,” she warned. 

“ I will, Mrs. Clyde,” he answered. And then 
they were off down the drive and out into the 
broad village street, drawing up in fine style before 
the parsonage. 

It was a gay little company that presently set 
off; fourteen in all. 


112 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ But,” Kitty rode up close to the cart, why 
aren’t you riding, Elizabeth ? ” 

Alec turned quickly. “ I invited her to drive.” 

When?” 

That you’ll have to guess at; it was before 
starting, at any rate.” 

“ And after I had asked her to ride, I know that,” 
Kitty insisted. 

^ A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,’ ” 
Alec quoted. 

‘‘ It was after, Kitty,” Blue Bonnet said. 

‘‘ Then why — ” Kitty began. 

You remember your old nickname, Kitty?” 
Alec broke in — Little Miss Why ’ ? ” 

You’re a very puzzling sort of girl, Elizabeth 
Ashe,” Kitty said. I know you’ve got some sort 
of a reason in the back of your mind.” 

Well, if I have, I’m going to keep it there,” 
Blue Bonnet answered. Her cheeks were hot. For 
the next quarter of a mile, she sat very still, look- 
ing back along the road they had come. The riders 
had gone on ahead. 

“ Elizabeth,” Sarah said gravely, “ it was awfully 
good of you — it wouldn’t have been very pleasant 
driving all alone — and I don’t enjoy riding. You 
see, I understand — if Kitty doesn’t.” 

Blue Bonnet moved restlessly. ‘‘ No, you don’t ! 
It isn’t that, one bit.” 

At that moment, Alec carefully steered the cart 


THE CLIMAX 


113 


over a particularly businesslike thank-you-marm, 
and Blue Bonnet’s words ended in a little shriek 
of laughter. 

And after all, they got to the nutting place 
first, — Kitty’s horse. Black Pete, possessing more 
years than certainty of temper, having taken it into 
his head to vary the monotony of the ride by long 
and frequent rests by the roadside. 

It was a merry afternoon, and a profitable one 
as well; for the baskets went home well laden. 
Going back the party kept together, arriving at 
Alec’s house in the early twilight, tired, happy, and, 
above all else, hungry. 

‘‘ Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet said that evening, 
“ did you ever want to do something for somebody 
very, very much ? ” 

Frequently.” 

“I wish I could do something for Alec.” 

‘‘Why, dear?” 

“ Oh, because — ” 

“ I am not sure that you are not doing some- 
thing for him, Elizabeth. General Trent was say- 
ing only this afternoon how much brighter and 
happier he had seemed lately.” 

“ Oh, I don’t mean that ! I mean something 
very particular.” 

“ You can do something for me, Elizabeth,” 
Miss Clyde said. “ I met Miss Rankin this after- 


114 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


noon; and she gave me a most discouraging report 
of your school work.” 

“ I don’t thinly I altogether like Miss Rankin,” 
Blue Bonnet observed. 

“ That is hardly to the point, Elizabeth.” 

“ But you can do better when you like a person. 
Aunt Lucinda.” 

Suppose you try the doing better first, and see 
if the liking does not follow?” 

“ I do try,” Blue Bonnet said, Miss Rankin 
is so very tiresome — I hate details, and doing 
everything by rule.” 

My dear, you do not need to tell me how much 
you dislike all method,” Miss Clyde answered. 

The next evening, when sitting alone with her 
grandmother in the twilight. Blue Bonnet, of her 
own will, took up the subject again. I am fall- 
ing behind. Grandmother,” she said; “I’ve had a 
lot of failures lately. I do study every night, too; 
but I seem always to get all the stupid questions 
that aren’t interesting enough for the answers to 
stick in one’s mind.” 

“ There is only one remedy, Elizabeth. You do 
not want all these Eastern girls to get ahead of 
you ? ” 

“ I don’t believe I care. Grandmother. What 
does it matter?” 

“ It matters this, Elizabeth ; that this is the thing 


THE CLIMAX 


115 


you are to do now; and to do it to the best of 
your ability.” 

“ Perhaps I am, Grandmother.” 

“ You do not think that, Elizabeth.” 

Blue Bonnet changed the subject. ‘‘ And, please, 
when may I have Mamma’s letters ? ” 

I think I shall say — when you have earned 
them, Elizabeth.” 

The next morning. Blue Bonnet started in with 
the determination to earn those letters before the 
week was out. Before the week was out, she had 
slipped back into her old, careless ways. 

The most delightful of companions out of school, 
in school her example was hardly of the best. She 
took her failures as lightly as her successes; and 
seemed more and more disposed to view Miss 
Rankin’s rules and regulations with good-natured 
impatience, rather than with respect. 

Miss Rankin often wondered if anything would 
rouse the girl’s dormant sense of personal respon- 
sibility; and, wondering, was more than once 
tempted to put the question to the test; and then 
a sudden glance from Blue Bonnet’s blue eyes 
would plead all unconsciously for another trial. 

Still, Miss Rankin knew that, sooner or later, 
matters were bound to come to a climax. 

Others knew it too; chief among them Sarah. 
“ Elizabeth,” she said one afternoon, don’t you 
think it would be nice if we could study together? ” 


116 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Blue Bonnet was in a perverse mood. “ Why ? ’’ 
she asked. 

“ You know examinations will be coming after 
a while.” 

“ Will they — from where? ” 

“ Elizabeth!” 

They were in the cloak-room, and Blue Bonnet 
turned in unwonted fierceness. “ Sarah Blake, if 
you dare ' Elizabeth! ' me in that way again, Fll — 
shake you ! ” 

Sarah looked hurt, instead of angry, which only 
aggravated Blue Bonnet the more. 

‘‘ I thought — ” Sarah began. 

“ I don’t want to be missionaryized by anybody ! ” 

Sarah drew on her gloves in a silence so expres- 
sive as to be almost audible. 

'' ‘ Birds in their little nests agree,’ ” Kitty sang 
from the doorway. 

“ Maybe they do,” Blue Bonnet retorted, but 
Sarah and I don’t — just now.” 

‘‘ Come on,” Kitty said. 

At the gate, Blue Bonnet turned to Sarah. “I — 
I’ll be down this evening, if I can.” 

I’ll come too,” Kitty said. 

‘‘ We’re going to study,” Sarah warned her. 

“ It’s a class in first aid to the injured,” Blue 
Bonnet laughed. 

See here, Elizabeth Ashe,” Kitty exclaimed, 
‘‘ you’ve been sailing pretty near to the wind lately. 


THE CLIMAX 


117 


I never knew before that Miss Rankin was such a 
straight descendant of Job’s.” 

A week later, in spite of Sarah’s efforts and 
Kitty’s warnings, the climax came. 

It was a dull, bleak day, the last day of October, 
with a brisk wind sending the falling leaves scur- 
rying in all directions. Blue Bonnet had had a 
letter from her uncle that morning; a long letter, 
that had brought the life on the ranch very near. 
More than ever the call of the wild ” was in her 
blood that day. She was late for school in the morn- 
ing; late again, in the afternoon; and the very 
slight attention she brought to bear upon her work 
during the earlier part of the day had, by afternoon, 
diminished almost to the vanishing point. 

Her place was by the window, and to the girl, 
the school-yard walk, with its bordering of tall, 
bare trees, led not out to the village street, but 
on and out to the wide, illimitable prairie; and 
across the prairie to a long, low house, standing like 
a little island in a wide sea of grass. She could 
see Benita coming and going from house to kitchen, 
and Don stretched lazily out on the back veranda. 

‘^Elizabeth!” 

Blue Bonnet turned, lifting a pair of dreamy, 
far-away eyes. 

Are you aware that this is the third time I 
have spoken to you ? ” Miss Rankin asked. 


118 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“No, Miss Rankin — I beg your pardon.” 

“ You may take up the subject where Ruth left 
off.” 

Blue Bonnet glanced uncertainly from Ruth to 
the open history in Miss Rankin’s hands, and back 
again. 

Ruth’s lips moved ever so slightly; but the move- 
ment gave not the faintest clue. Blue Bonnet 
turned to Miss Rankin. “ I am afraid I haven’t 
any idea where Ruth left off.” There was no real 
regret in her tone, merely polite apology. 

Miss Rankin turned to one of the other girls. 
“ You may answer, Hester.” 

And Hester Manly did answer, with a prompt- 
ness and fullness which should have served as a 
rebuke to Blue Bonnet. But already the girl’s eyes 
had gone back to the window. To her, the troubles 
and trials of George the Second seemed of very 
little consequence, in comparison with the homesick 
longings of the owner of the Blue Bonnet Ranch. 
She was glad that history was the last recitation 
of the day. 

Just before closing time Blue Bonnet, feeling 
vaguely that something was wrong again, looked 
up. “Did you speak to me. Miss Rankin?” she 
asked; and wondered at the sudden ripple of 
amusement that ran through the room. 

Miss Rankin’s lips were drawn until only the 
faintest line of red showed. “ Yes,” she said, “ I 


THE CLIMAX 


119 


was speaking to you, Elizabeth. You will remain 
this afternoon to make up your history and 
English — your Latin you may make up to-morrow 
afternoon.'^ 

Blue Bonnet raised her eyes in swift protest. It 
would mean hours! And she had been counting 
the minutes until she should be free! 

But there was no relenting in Miss Rankin’s 
face. Blue Bonnet watched the rest gathering up 
books and papers, and making ready to depart, 
with heart growing more rebellious every moment. 

Sarah’s look of pity, Kitty’s shrug of impatience, 
all the little glances of sympathy, protest, or amuse- 
ment, only helped to fan still hotter the flame of 
rebellion in her heart. 

It happened that she was the only pupil detained 
that afternoon; and, as presently the long line of 
boys and girls filed out to the march Miss Rankin 
was playing outside in the assembly-room. Blue 
Bonnet, gathering up her own books, walked 
deliberately out of the side entrance. 

Straight for the big meadow back of her grand- 
mother’s house she made — the meadow that was 
a very little akin to the prairie. One line to Uncle 
Cliff, and her way back was open; but stronger 
still than her homesick longings was the pride that 
would not let her write that line. 

She was sitting on the ground, a little huddled 
up heap of misery, resisting even Solomon’s 


120 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


attempts at comfort and diversion, when Alec came 
across the meadow. 

He stopped short. “ How long have you been 
here? Kitty said you had to stay in.” 

‘‘ I didn’t stay.” 

“ Did the Rankin relent ? ” 

“ I don’t know.” 

‘‘Elizabeth, what have you been doing?” 

“ I couldn’t stay — not to-day, Alec, I just 
couldn’t!” 

Alec whistled. “ I’m mighty afraid there’ll be 
something doing to-morrow, Elizabeth.” 

Blue Bonnet rose. “Of course, I intend to 
explain to Miss Rankin. Come, Solomon, we must 
go in.” 

At the meadow gate, she halted. “ Coming in, 
Alec?” 

“ Can’t,” he answered; “ I’ve a compo on hand.” 

Blue Bonnet studied hard that evening. She 
meant to have good lessons on the morrow; she 
would go to Miss Rankin the first thing in the 
morning. 

Unfortunately, she was a little late the next 
morning ; her explanation would have to wait. 
And then, the moment the opening exercises were 
over, and the class-room doors closed. Miss Rankin 
turned to her. 

“ Elizabeth,” she asked, “ didn’t you understand 


THE CLIMAX 


121 


yesterday afternoon that you were to remain after 
school?” 

A shiver of something like apprehension ran 
through Blue Bonnet. “ Please, Miss Rankin — ” 
she began. 

“ Did you, or did you not, understand, Eliza- 
beth?” 

Blue Bonnet hated the hushed stillness of the 
room. “ Yes, Miss Rankin,” she said, “ I under- 
stood — but — ” 

‘‘ You may take your explanation to Mr. Hunt, 
Elizabeth.” 


CHAPTER VIII 


MR. HUNT 

Mrs. Clyde^ sitting at her sewing in her own 
room, started in surprise as the front door was 
slammed violently, followed by a quick rush of 
feet on the stairs. 

That the commotion could only be caused by 
Elizabeth was probable, but what was she doing 
home from school at this hour? 

Going to Blue Bonnet’s room to inquire, she 
found her tossing the things about in her upper 
drawer in a wild search for something. 

‘‘ Elizabeth ! ” she exclaimed. 

‘‘ I can’t find my purse. Grandmother.” Blue 
Bonnet did not turn around. 

“ Your purse? ” 

I want to send a telegram to Uncle Cliff. I — 
I’m going home.” 

Mrs. Clyde sat down on the lounge. You are 
going home ! ” 

Yes, Grandmother.” Blue Bonnet had found 
her purse at last, and was hurriedly counting its 
contents. “ Uncle Cliff told me I had only to send 
word and — and — ” Dropping suddenly into a 
chair, Blue Bonnet hid her face in her hands. The 
122 


MR. HUNT 


123 


last barrier her pride had raised had fallen, broken 
down by that scene of the morning. Her one 
thought now was to go back. Back to the ranch, 
where there were no explanations to be made; no 
Miss Rankins to be displeased with one; no prin- 
cipals to be sent to. She hated it here in the 
East — hated the life and all it stood — Blue 
Bonnet caught herself up, remembering the last 
time she had used those same words. 

“ Elizabeth,” her grandmother asked, “ what has 
happened ? ” 

Blue Bonnet wiped her eyes impatiently. Miss 
Rankin has behaved horridly ; and I — came home ; 
I’m never going back ! ” — the words came punc- 
tuated with sobs. 

And what had you done, Elizal^eth, to occasion 
such behavior on the part of Miss Rankin ? ” 

“I — intended to explain. She — wouldn’t 
listen. She said I — must go to — Mr. Hunt ! ” 
Blue Bonnet’s head went down again; the memory 
of that moment’s humiliation was too much for 
her. 

“She sent you to Mr. Hunt, Elizabeth?” 

“Yes, Grandmother; but I didn’t go — I came 
home.” 

“ But, Elizabeth, what could you have done, 
requiring such extreme measures? Come here and 
tell me about it.” 

And Blue Bonnet obeyed. 


124 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Grandmother listened to the long, rather incoher- 
ent story in a silence that Blue Bonnet did not feel 
to be entirely condemnatory. For Grandmother 
had the blessed gift of seeing more than one side 
of a question. Knowing the girl’s inherited love 
of freedom, remembering her upbringing, she had 
not the heart to be too hard upon her. And yet, 
for the girl’s own sake, she could not be too easy. 

And so,” Blue Bonnet ended wearily, “ I want 
to go home. I’m so tired of being ‘ trained,’ 
Grandmother.” 

“Tired of it, at fifteen, Elizabeth! When the 
training has only just begun! But you shall go 
back — if you really wish to — though the going 
must be done decently and in order; or you shall 
stay, and do that which in your heart you know 
to be right. The decision shall rest with yourself; 
but remember, Elizabeth, as you decide, so will 
your whole life be the weaker or the stronger 
for it.” 

“But, Grandmother — even if I could — it’s too 
late.” 

“ It is not too late, Elizabeth.” 

“ Grandmother, I can’t do it ! ” Blue Bonnet 
sobbed. 

“It will be hard, dear; I do not deny it.” 

The girl moved restlessly. “ I want to go home.” 

“ I have said that you may go, Elizabeth. But 
you are not the girl I think you, if you run away 


MR. HUNT 


125 


in that cowardly fashion. I am going to leave you 
to decide the matter here and now.’^ 

In her own room, Mrs. Clyde waited rather 
anxiously for the issue. Whatever the decision, 
it was likely to be a speedy one. She was glad 
that Lucinda had chosen this day on which to go 
to Boston. Lucinda’s methods were a little too 
strenuous for a case of this kind. 

Less than a quarter of an hour later, the front 
door slammed again. From the window, Mrs. 
Clyde caught a glimpse of a hurrying figure, a 
crimson tam-o’-shanter, even more awry than usual. 
She went back to her sewing with hands that 
trembled a little. Was it Mr. Hunt, or the tele- 
graph office? 

Just before the noon intermission, Mr. Hunt 
heard a low knock on his door. ‘‘ Come in,” he 
called, wheeling round in his chair as Blue Bonnet 
entered. 

“ Good morning, Elizabeth,” he said. ‘‘ Haven’t 
you been rather a long time getting here ? ” He 
had seen Miss Rankin at recess. 

Something in his tone, in the grave kindly eyes, 
gave Blue Bonnet courage. 

She came up to the desk. ‘'I — I shouldn’t have 
come at all, if it hadn’t been for Grandmother. 
She — she said it would be — cowardly — not to.” 

‘‘ Ah ! ” Mr. Hunt said. 

I was going home — to the ranch.” 


126 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Rather than face me?” 

It was — the having to come.” 

Suppose you tell me why you had to come? ” 

“ Because I — didn’t stay in yesterday, when 
Miss Rankin told me to.” 

“ Why didn’t you, Elizabeth ? ” 

And Blue Bonnet, looking at him with a pair 
of very frank blue eyes, told him why, — very much 
as she had told her grandmother. 

There was a short silence when she had finished ; 
then Mr. Hunt said, Elizabeth, do you suppose 
you are the only one who gets tired, very tired, 
of the confinement of school work — who longs for 
the open? What if we were all - — Miss Rankin, all 
the teachers, myself — to drop everything, and go 
when the fancy seized us ? ” 

But I don’t, ” Blue Bonnet answered ; I’ve 
never been before school closed, though it’s been 
pretty hard not to, some days.” 

“ Yesterday was not the first time you went 
before you had the right — even though school 
was over.” 

“ No,” Blue Bonnet admitted. ‘‘ You — you 
know about the other time ? ” 

Yes.” 

“ But I made that up — and that first time — it 
didn’t seem very wrong. You see I’ve never been 
to school before I came to Woodford; and tutors 
aren’t very — strict. At least, mine weren’t.” 


MR. HUNT 


127 


“How about the second time, Elizabeth? You 
must have known then.” 

“ I couldn’t stay,” Blue Bonnet answered. “ I 
had to get out-of-doors. I think fifteen is rather 
too late to begin to go to school, after all.” 

Mr. Hunt smiled a little. “ It is because you 
are so unused to school routine, and school disci- 
pline that we have been very patient with you, 
Elizabeth. But things cannot go on as they have 
been doing. Do you want your class to go on 
without you? If they do, it will not be because 
you have not the ability but the will to keep up 
with them.” 

“ I never thought of that,” Blue Bonnet said. 

“ I want you to think of it very seriously. And 
now, what do you suppose I am going to do with 
you ? ” 

Blue Bonnet caught her breath. Her ideas as to 
what a principal might or might not be expected 
to do under the circumstances, were indefinite — 
and a little disquieting. “ I don’t know,” she said. 

“ I am going to put you on your honor not to 
disobey in this fashion again; and to try to con- 
form more carefully to all the rules of the school, — 
which will include, most emphatically, being more 
punctual. Your record, in that respect, Elizabeth, 
is decidedly very far from what it should be.” 

Blue Bonnet looked exceedingly sober. Being 
put on her honor meant all to the girl that Mr. 


128 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Hunt had known it would. “ I’ll promise, Mr. 
Hunt,” she said, after a moment or two. 

Miss Rankin had had more than one inattentive 
pupil that forenoon. As the morning went by and 
Blue Bonnet did not reappear, excitement ran high 
among the We are Seven’s.” 

“ Mean old thing! ” Kitty telegraphed to Debby, 
behind their teacher’s back. 

And Debby nodded agreement. 

Just before afternoon school, Blue Bonnet came 
in and went straight to Miss Rankin’s desk. There 
was a straining of eyes and ears, but nothing was 
heard of the low conversation that followed. Then, 
for a moment. Miss Rankin laid a hand on Blue 
Bonnet’s shoulder, — a most unwonted demonstra- 
tion. 

A moment after, Blue Bonnet turned and came 
slowly down the aisle to her place. 

Where have you been, Elizabeth Ashe ? ” Kitty 
demanded. 

In various places,” Blue Bonnet answered. 

“ I was just thinking about organizing a relief 
expedition I ” 

“For whom?” Blue Bonnet asked. Almost 
harder than the going to Mr. Hunt had the coming 
back to class been for her. She had passed the 
noon hour by herself in the grove back of the 


MR. HUNT 


129 


schoolhouse, doing some of the hardest thinking she 
had ever done in her life. 

The face she wore now was far too serious to 
suit Kitty’s ideas. 

'‘Was he very — dreadful, Elizabeth?” she 
asked sympathetically. 

" He was — not.” 

" You know,” Kitty said thoughtfully, " Mr. 
Hunt can be rather — awful.” 

" How do you know ? ” Blue Bonnet questioned. 

Kitty turned to the rest. " Beginning to sit up 
and take notice,” she announced demurely. 

Mr. Hunt met Miss Rankin in the corridor that 
afternoon and. stopped to speak with her. " Well,” 
he said, " your young Texan appeared — even- 
tually.” 

" So I understand.” 

" I don’t believe it will happen again. I have put 
her on her honor.” 

" The best thing you could have done, I think.” 

" Poor child ! ” Mr. Hunt said. " To use a simile 
peculiarly appropriate in her case, she is not taking 
very kindly to bit and bridle. Ease up a bit on her, 
when you can. Miss Rankin.” 

" I intend to. Did you send her to me, Mr. 
Hunt?” 

"To apologize? No. That was one of the 
things I left to her honor.” 


130 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Quite safely, as it proved,” Miss Rankin 
answered. ‘‘ She is a dear child. I think things 
will run more smoothly now.” 

Blue Bonnet was rather late in getting home from 
school that afternoon, but two of those lessons had 
been made up. 

At the door, her grandmother met her. ‘‘ Eliza- 
beth!” 

Blue Bonnet looked up. ‘‘ I reckon it’s all right. 
Grandmother.” 

You have seen Mr. Hunt, Elizabeth?” 

‘‘Yes, Grandmother; he was mighty kind.” 

“ I am very glad, Elizabeth ; but where were 
you this noon? ” 

“ In the grove. I didn’t want any lunch. Oh, 
dear ! ” Blue Bonnet looked up, struck by a sudden 
thought. “Were you worried, Grandmother?” 

“ I was a little anxious. You had left me in 
something of an uncertainty, you remember.” 

“ I reckon you knew how it would come out, 
Grandmother. I wonder will I ever learn to think 
of everything? ” 

“ I think you are learning to think of a good 
many things, dear. Now you must have some 
lunch, and then go for a brisk walk.” 

“ I was going to study.” 

Mrs. Clyde kissed the pale face. “ You will do 
all the better work after you have had some fresh 
air. It has not been the lack of time but the 


MR. HUNT 


131 


lack of attention that has made all the trouble, 
dear.” 

As Blue Bonnet and Solomon came down the 
drive a little later, they met Alec at the gate. 
“ Halloa,” he said, “ you’re not running at your 
usual speed! Where are you headed for?” 

“ I’m only going for a walk.” 

“ I’m your man, then. We’ll go out on the turn- 
pike.” 

It was rather a silent walk at first. Once out 
on the turnpike. Blue Bonnet’s spirits began to 
revive. 

“ Oh, but I am glad to-day is nearly over 1 ” she 
said fervently. 

What’ve they been doing to you, anyway?” 
Alec exclaimed indignantly. He was not in Blue 
Bonnet’s room at school, but Kitty had given him 
a graphic account of the day’s happenings. 

Blue Bonnet pulled off her tam-o’-shanter, letting 
the fresh wind blow through her hair. “ Nothing,” 
she answered ; they left all the doing to me.” 

As she spoke, a man on horseback passed them 
at a swift gallop. Instantly the girl turned, looking 
after him with eager eyes. He was riding as the 
men at home rode. 

“ That was Darrel,” Alec said, ‘‘ and the mare.” 

Blue Bonnet’s color deepened. “ She is like — 
Firefly. Alec, if one might have her three wishes — 
or, even one ! ” 


132 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“What would you choose?” Alec asked. He 
knew what his choice would be — and he would 
be content with the one wish, too, if only it brought 
him the strength he craved. 

Blue Bonnet was standing quite still, looking off 
along the turnpike. “ Courage,” she answered ; 
“ first, last, and always ! ” 

She came home still in subdued mood, coming 
to sit with grandmother in the twilight, with a 
little involuntary sigh of relief that to-night they 
two were alone together. 

“ So you are going to stay with us, Elizabeth,” 
Mrs. Clyde said, “ and try to make yourself ready 
to go back ? ” 

“ Yes, Grandmother.” 

“ Is the staying very hard, dear ? ” 

“ I am so homesick. Grandmother. Not all the 
time; but lately. I like it here and being with 
you — and Aunt Lucinda; and knowing Alec and 
the girls. But still I want to go back; and oh, I 
do want to be called Blue Bonnet ! ” 

“ Why, Elizabeth, your uncle wrote that you pre- 
ferred not to be called Blue Bonnet. Your aunt 
and I have been very careful to remember.” 

“ Indeed you have” Blue Bonnet declared. “ I 
would like to be called it, though. Grandmother — 
I think I shouldn't be so homesick, then. And 
it’s — so hard — to live up to ‘ Elizabeth.’ ” 


MR. HUNT 


133 


** I would do a good deal more than that, dear, 
to make you .content to stay with us.” 

“ Grandmother, do you mean — you truly like 
having me here ? ” 

“ How can you ask that, dear ! ” 

But, I'm such a lot of trouble.” 

“ Trouble that we would not willingly forego.” 

Blue Bonnet nestled closer. “ I almost wish you 
didn’t care so much. I shall have to go some day. 
I — papa would not like me not to.” 

“ I know, dear ; some day you must go back. 
Only you want to make yourself ready — I do not 
think you are quite that yet.” 

‘‘No — I must get I suppose where I won’t let 
Benita and the rest spoil me. It’s very pleasant, 
being spoiled, Grandmother. I never knew how 
much Benita did for me, until I came here. She 
always did my hair — she can braid hair beauti- 
fully. It hasn’t looked very beautiful lately. I hate 
braiding hair.” 

“ It is rather flyaway hair,” Mrs. Clyde smoothed 
the girl’s head lovingly, “ but I don’t think it is 
quite as flyaway as it was at first.” 

“ I wish you were going back to the ranch with 
me,” Blue Bonnet said. “ Grandmother, don’t you 
ever get tired of having the houses so close? 
Wouldn’t you like to push them back ? ” 

“ I don’t know that I would, dear.” 


134 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ I would,’’ Blue Bonnet said ; then for a while 
she sat very still, looking into the fire. 

Mrs. Clyde was silent also; she was thinking of 
the other Elizabeth — who had left her at eighteen. 

“ Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet said sadly, '‘it’s 
no use — I sha’n’t ever be ready — really ready. 
Imagine living on a cattle ranch, and being afraid 
to ride ! ” 

“ Dear — is that the fear you meant that night? ” 

" Yes, Grandmother.” 

" I cannot understand. Your uncle used to write 
what a fearless little horsewoman you were.” 

" I know. Grandmother, I think I should like to 
tell you — I’vemever told anyone — perhaps, then, 
I sha’n’t remember it so.” 

" Tell me, dear.” 

" It’s — I — I saw one of the men — he had 
been thrown — and dragged — it was horrible ! No 
one knew I saw him — that was last summer — I 
haven’t been on a horse since.” 

“ You should have told your uncle at once, dear; 
keeping it to yourself was the worst thing you could 
have done.” 

" I couldn’t bear to speak of it — I thought I 
should forget. Then, one afternoon, I went out 
to mount Firefly — and I — couldn’t. Uncle Cliff 
used to wonder why I wasn’t riding; he asked me 
about it one night, and I just up and told him I 


MR. HUNT 


135 


was afraid. That was the time he said ‘ afraid ’ 
was an odd word for an Ashe to use.” 

“ Have you honestly tried to conquer this fear, 
dear?” 

“ I haven’t tried to ride since that first time — 
after I had seen — that. It wouldn’t be any use. 
I can’t ride, Grandmother. That’s why I couldn’t 
bear to stay on the ranch.” 

“ Yet you want to go back? ” 

“ Yes, I want to go back — even if I can’t ride. 
I reckon I’ll have to drive.” 

“ You are not afraid to drive? ” 

No ; at least, I haven’t been here.” 

Mrs. Clyde laughed. “ I daresay our Woodford 
horses do seem a bit tame. I wish, dear, I had 
some real comfort to give you. Perhaps, in 
time — ” 

“ I’m more afraid now than I was at first,” Blue 
Bonnet answered. She rose as Delia came in to 
light up. “ I’m going to study mighty hard to- 
night, Grandmother. You’re going to have the star 
pupil for a granddaughter after this.” 

When Blue Bonnet went up to bed that evening, 
she found a little bundle of letters, smelling of lav- 
ender, lying on her dressing-table. 

Her first thought was to sit down and read them 
then and there; but, with a little resolute shake of 
the head, she made herself get quite ready for bed 


136 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


first ; then, wrapping a gaily striped Mexican 
blanket about her, she curled herself up on the foot 
of her bed, the letters in her lap. 

And so vivid were they, so dear and familiar the 
scenes they portrayed, that presently the girl had 
forgotten time and place, and was feeling the 
prairie wind on her face; seeing the swaying of the 
tall grass; hearing the sounds of the ranch life — 
rejoicing in the freedom of it all. 

In one of the letters, she found a few dried blue 
bonnets — the letter in which her mother had 
written of her coming. — ‘‘ And she is to be called 
Blue Bonnet, our little prairie flower, with her eyes 
just the color of the blue bonnets growing wild and 
thick in the prairie grass. Some day, you shall see 
her. Mother.” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes were wet. And she had said 
she hated the ranch — had asked not to be called 
Blue Bonnet! How the memory of those hasty, 
thoughtless words hurt! 

‘‘ Elizabeth! ” 

The girl started, and looked around. 

Mrs. Clyde stood in the open doorway. ** My 
dear, do you know how late it is? ” 

“Late!” 

“ It is after half-past eleven.” 

And the rule was that Blue Bonnet’s light must 
be out by ten. “ And I thought I had reformed ! ” 
Blue Bonnet said. “ But, Grandmother, I did make 


MR. HUNT 


137 


myself get all ready for bed first. Well, I reckon 
you’ll just have to scold me.” 

“ It is too late even for that,” Mrs. Clyde an- 
swered, and hurried the girl into bed. Bending in 
the dark to kiss her, she said softly, “ Good-night, 
little Blue Bonnet.” 

Blue Bonnet woke the next morning with the idea 
firmly fixed in her mind that the only thing for her 
to do was to write to her uncle, confessing frankly 
how honestly she regretted those hasty words of 
hers, and how very far she was from hating the 
ranch and everything connected with it. 

The Blue Bonnet of yesterday morning would 
have sat down to the writing of it at once ; the Blue 
Bonnet of to-day dressed and went down to break- 
fast with a promptness that won her a smile of 
approval from her grandmother. 

After breakfast, there was no time; she was de- 
termined not to be late to school that day. But she 
did write at recess — much to Kitty’s disgust. 

Goodness only knows where you were yesterday 
at recess, Elizabeth,” she protested, ‘‘ and to-day 
you’re — ” 

“ In Texas,” Blue Bonnet finished for her. 

You’re not writing about going back? ” 

‘‘ I am.” 

‘‘Elizabeth! When?” 

“Not to-day, Kitty. Now do go away — it’s a 


138 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


very important letter; it must go out on the noon 
train.” 

It was not a very coherent letter, and there was 
not time to make it a long one, — but it brought 
great pleasure to Mr. Cliff. Looks like we needn’t 
put the Blue Bonnet Ranch on the market yet awhile, 
Joe,” he said, after reading it. 

Coming in from school that afternoon. Blue Bon- 
net met Aunt Lucinda in the hall. “ Are you just 
back ? ” she asked. And did you have a pleasant 
time?” 

“ I came home soon after dinner, Elizabeth. Yes, 
I had a very pleasant time; but I am glad to be 
back.” Miss Clyde bent and kissed Blue Bonnet, — 
not a mere formal kiss of greeting. It brought the 
quick color to the girl’s face. 

I’m afraid you don’t know — there’s been a 
good deal happened since yesterday morning. Aunt 
Lucinda,” she said hurriedly. 

‘‘ I know all about it, my dear ; your grandmother 
has been telling me. I am much gratified with the 
outcome, Elizabeth.” 

Blue Bonnet smiled up at her aunt. “ And you’ll 
call me Blue Bonnet, too ? ” 

‘‘ My dear, I thought — ” 

I know — but I was Blue Bonnet at home, you 
know, — until I was just all round horrid that night 
— ^^and oh, I do want to be called it now.” 

Miss Clyde smiled. As you like, dear ; only I 


MR. HUNT 


139 


think I shall still reserve Elizabeth — for occa- 
sions.’’ 

“ Oh dear ! ” Blue Bonnet answered, “ I’m afraid 
it’ll be more * Elizabeth ’ than ‘ Blue Bonnet ’ then, 
Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ We’ll hope not, dear.” And then Aunt Lucinda 
actually stooped and kissed Blue Bonnet a second 
time. 


CHAPTER IX 


VICTOR 

“ Elizabeth/’ Alec asked the next morning, as 
they were on their way to school, ‘‘ what was that 
Mrs. Clyde called you just now?” 

'' Blue Bonnet. My name is Elizabeth Blue 
Bonnet Ashe. Alec, I wish you’d call me that, 
too, instead of Elizabeth.” 

I most certainly will. Are you named after 
the ranch? ” 

‘‘ Partly ; partly after the flower. The Blue 
Bonnet is our State flower.” 

How jolly! But why on earth haven’t we been 
calling you that all along? — Blue Bonnet seems 
much more suitable for you than Elizabeth.” 

Oh ~ because.” 

You’re awfully fond of that — ‘ because.’ ” 

** It’s such a convenient word.” 

“From your point of view. From mine — it’s 
rather inadequate. See here. Blue Bonnet, is that 
why your uncle is so fond of whistling ‘ All the 
Blue Bonnets ’ ? ” 

“Yes. Whistle it for me right now, please, 
Alec!” 


140 


VICTOR 


141 


“ I guess not. — To think how Fve been Eliza- 
bething you all this time ! ” 

“ Fve never minded your way of saying it — 
nor Kitty’s; it didn’t sound so very hard to live 
up to. But when Aunt Lucinda used to say it, 
in a particular sort of tone she has, it was — de- 
pressing. You couldn’t say Blue Bonnet that way, 
could you? ” 

“ Doesn’t that remain to be seen ? ” Alec laughed. 

The new, or rather the old, name spread like 
wildfire among Blue Bonnet’s especial friends — 
Kitty, like Alec, declaring it far more appropriate 
to its owner than the more formal Elizabeth. 

‘‘ Oh, Blue Bonnet,” she asked one afternoon a 
few days later, “had your friend Mrs. Prior to 
tea lately?” 

“ No.” 

“ Being such an intimate friend, of course you 
know she’s sick ? ” 

“ Kitty, don’t be horrid ! — No, I didn’t know it.” 

“ Papa doesn’t think she’s going to get well. 
He says he’s never seen anyone more anxious not 
to.” 

“ Kitty, how dreadful ! ” 

“ I don’t know,” Kitty answered, with unusual 
gravity; “she hasn’t much to live for.” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes were very pitiful. “ And I 
meant to do so much for her ! ” She went home 
in quiet mood. It was like a day in early October, 


142 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


rather than November. How could anyone, on 
such a day, not want to live! She wished she 
might go out to the town farm; but Grandmother 
and Aunt Lucinda were making calls, and she must 
wait until their return to ask permission. 

She took her books out to the hammock on the 
sunny back piazza, finding it even harder than 
usual to fix her thoughts on her studies ; they would 
wander to the bare old house, out beyond the turn- 
pike. 

Alec, coming over, came upon her before she 
heard him. “ Is it a brown study ?’’ he asked. “It 
looks a little like a blue one.” 

“ Alec, did you know that poor old Mrs. Prior 
was sick?” 

Alec sat down on the steps. “ She isn’t — now. 
I just met Dr. Clark.” 

“ Alec, I simply hate myself I ” 

“What in the world is up now. Blue Bonnet?” 

“ I meant to be such a friend to her — she said 
she hadn’t any friends.” 

“ I think you did your share — you gave her 
one good time; that’s a whole lot more than any 
of the rest of us ever thought of doing. And 
she’s got her friends now. Blue Bonnet, — so don’t 
you worry.” 

Blue Bonnet sighed. “ I reckon. Aunt Lucinda 
would have let me take her some flowers, or some- 
thing, now and then; but I just forgot all about 


VICTOR 


143 


her — after the first. A pretty friend she must 
have thought me ! ” 

“ I daresay she did/’ Alec answered. “ It 
strikes me, young lady, you’d better come up out 
of those depths and get to business.” 

Blue Bonnet took up her history. “ I’ve read it 
over three times, and I don’t remember one word 
of it. It’s very stupid anyhow. Who wants to 
know about a lot of battles that happened before 
one was born ? ” 

“ Miss Rankin will, for one,” Alec laughed. He 
got up, whistling to Bob and Ben, who were having 
a game of tag on the lawn with Solomon. I’m 
off. Mind you quit worrying and tend to that 
history.” 

Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet asked that eve- 
ning, may I send some flowers — for Mrs. Prior? ” 

“ Certainly, dear ; ” and when Blue Bonnet had 
gone upstairs, Mrs. Clyde turned to her daughter. 
“ It is getting to be * may I ? ’ much more fre- 
quently than ' I’m going to,’ Lucinda.” 

‘‘ Yes,” Aunt Lucinda agreed ; “ I really think 
Blue Bonnet has improved a good deal lately.” 

The next day Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda 
went in to Boston for the night, and Blue Bonnet 
was allowed to invite Sarah to spend the after- 
noon and night with her. 

Blue Bonnet’s own choice would have been Kitty. 


144 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Sarah accepted the invitation with pleasure. I’d 
like to come very much, Blue Bonnet,” she said; 
“ ni ask Mother at noon.” 

“ I’d ’ve loved it,” Kitty said ; you’d have a 
lot more fun, if you’d ’ve asked me. Blue Bonnet 
Ashe.” 

‘‘ I might have had too much,” Blue Bonnet 
laughed. ‘‘ I reckon Aunt Lucinda must have 
thought so. I’ll try to have you next time, Kitty.” 

‘‘ Second choice ! ” Kitty answered. 

Blue Bonnet went in with Sarah that afternoon, 
while she got her things. It was the afternoon 
of the church sewing society, held this time at the 
parsonage. Blue Bonnet was much interested in 
the scene. “ Only some of the things aren’t very 
- — pretty,” she told herself. If ever she joined a 
sewing society, — which it was hard to imagine 
herself doing — she should insist on making pretty 
things — they were so much more really important 
than just necessary ones. 

Sarah kept her waiting quite a while. The Blake 
family was a large one; and Sarah, as the eldest 
child, was burdened with many cares. It was 
almost unprecedented, her going away for the 
night. Quite a small army of protesting children 
followed her and Blue Bonnet down to the gate. 

The moment it had clicked behind them. Blue 
Bonnet turned to Sarah. ‘‘ What are they making 
all those things for?” 


VICTOR 


145 


“ They’re getting a box ready.” 

A box?” 

Dear me, Blue Bonnet, don’t you understand? ” 
and Sarah explained. 

Where is it going?” Blue Bonnet asked. 

I think — why. Blue Bonnet, it’s going to 
Texas!” 

“ I wish I could go in it,” Blue Bonnet said 
wistfully. 

“You’d take up too much room; and you 
wouldn’t get much fresh air on the way.” 

“Whom is it going to?” 

“A Rev. Mr. Judson, I think; he’s a church 
missionary, and very poor. They’ve a lot of chil- 
dren.” 

“ Why don’t they send prettier things ? ” 

“ Useful things are much better,” Sarah an- 
swered. “ Blue Bonnet, let’s — ” 

“ Things can be pretty and useful too,” Blue 
Bonnet interrupted. 

“ I guess they’ll be very glad to get it,” Sarah 
said. “ Blue Bonnet, let’s study this afternoon ; 
then we can have the evening to enjoy ourselves 
in.” 

“ All right,” the other agreed cheerfully. “ But 
you’ve got to keep strictly to the thing in 
hand, if you’re going to study with me, Sarah 
Blake.” 

Blue Bonnet’s preparations for studying were 


146 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


rather a surprise to Sarah. They consisted of two 
great chairs drawn close to the broad west window 
in the dining-room, a dish of apples, and another 
of cookies. One can’t work well when one’s 
hungry,” Blue Bonnet explained. And one can 
eat so well when one’s working.” 

And, in spite of Sarah’s protests, she was made 
to occupy one of the big chairs and take one of 
the big apples, before Blue Bonnet would allow 
her to open a book. 

After that, however. Blue Bonnet settled down 
to her books bravely. Scarcely speaking, save for 
a little exclamation of perplexity or impatience, 
now and then. 

Blue Bonnet was trying very hard to remember 
her promise to Mr. Hunt these days; in conse- 
quence, matters at school were running much more 
smoothly. She did not know how often Miss 
Rankin, recognizing how earnestly the girl was 
endeavoring to do her best, helped her over more 
than one rough place. She did know that she 
was really getting to like Miss Rankin and to want 
to please her. 

‘‘ I suppose,” she said, laying the last book down 
with a long breath of relief, “ that she’s an acquired 
taste — like olives.” 

‘‘ Who is ? ” Sarah asked ; Sarah was not quite 
through. 

‘‘ The ‘ rankin’ officer/ ” 


VICTOR 


147 


“ Miss Rankin like olives ! Sarah exclaimed, 
thoroughly puzzled. “ Blue Bonnet, what do you 
mean? ” 

“Doesn’t she like them?” Blue Bonnet asked, 
carefully selecting another apple. 

“ I wish you wouldn’t tease. Blue Bonnet,” 
Sarah said; “I’m not ready to talk yet.” 

“ Hurry, that’s a good child — I want to give 
Solomon a romp before dark. Solomon plays hide 
and seek beautifully.” 

Later, roasting chestnuts before the fire in the 
sitting-room. Blue Bonnet’s thoughts went back to 
that missionary box. “ Do you only put clothes 
in it, Sarah ? ” she asked. 

“ Put clothes in what. Blue Bonnet ? A moment 
ago you were talking of examinations.” 

“ The box.” 

“ Mostly ; sometimes there are other things — 
toys and books.” 

“ I wish I could give something for this one. 
I’d like to send something to — Texas.” 

Sarah turned eagerly. “ I wish you could ; this 
isn’t quite as satis — as complete as we would like. 
There’s a girl out there about our age — and they’re 
so poor. Blue Bonnet.” 

Blue Bonnet was on her feet. “ We’ll go right 
upstairs and ransack.” 

“Blue Bonnet!” Sarah’s voice was full of 
shocked surprise. 


148 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Que asco ! There, Sarah, you’ve made me say 
that. You didn’t suppose I meant anybody’s things 
but my own? I’ve got heaps of ribbons and pretty 
collars that I don’t need.” 

Blue Bonnet led the way upstairs to her own 
room, turning on the light, throwing open her 
bureau drawers with an impetuousity that quite 
took Sarah’s breath away. 

She soon had a little pile of ribbons, laces, and 
the odds and ends of finery that girls love, in the 
center of her bed. 

‘‘ Oh, Blue Bonnet,” Sarah asked, “ can you 
really spare all these ? ” 

‘‘Of course; there’ll be just so much less to 
take care of, and I can get more. But if I couldn’t, 
I shouldn’t mind. Sarah, do you suppose she 
wears gloves ? ” 

“ Why, of course!” 

“ Then I’m going to send all mine but two pairs 

— I hate to wear gloves I I’d send them all, only 
I suppose Aunt Lucinda would make me buy more 

— for church.” 

“Blue Bonnet!” 

“ Sarah Blake, if you’re going to sit there and 
Blue Bonnet me — in a way that means ‘ Eliza- 
beth’ — you can go downstairs until I get this 
bundle made up. It’ll save a lot of trouble — pack- 
ing this stuff off. You see. Aunt Lucinda’s motto 


VICTOR 


149 


is — 'A box for everything and everything in its 
box/ ’’ 

Sarah was smoothing out the soft bright ribbons 
almost affectionately; new ribbons were a luxury 
at the parsonage. ‘‘ How fond you are of red, 
Blue Bonnet ! 

“ Yes,” the girl said, ‘‘ Uncle Cliff liked me to 
wear it. I wonder,” she looked up laughingly, “ if 
that is one reason I like Kitty. Her hair is — 
reddish ! ” 

“ It isn’t as red as it used to be,” Sarah said. 
“ Blue Bonnet, she’ll be so pleased with these — • 
that girl out in Texas.” 

Blue Bonnet looked at the little collection with 
dissatisfied eyes. “ Sarah, — I’m going to send 
— my red dress ! ” 

Blue Bonnet ! ” 

“ I am. Maybe it’ll fit. If it doesn’t, I reckon 
it can be altered, or done something to.” 

Blue Bonnet — that’s an entirely new dress ! ” 

** I know — I was going to wear it on Sunday 
for the first time. But doesn’t that make it all 
the better? I shouldn’t like wearing other peo- 
ple’s dresses.” Blue Bonnet went to her closet, 
coming back with the dress over her arm, a sim- 
ple shirtwaist suit in some soft woollen goods. 

Isn’t it the loveliest shade, Sarah? You can’t 
deny that this is useful and pretty too. See, the 


150 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


lace is all in the neck. It’s quite the prettiest of 
all my dresses.” 

But Blue Bonnet — ” 

Blue Bonnet moved impatiently. ‘‘ You are the 
but-eriest set here in Woodford! Out on the 
ranch I did what I wanted to, when I wanted to, 

— that is, generally, — without all these everlast- 
ing buts. I just hate the word ‘ but.’ ” 

“ Still,” Sarah held her ground determinedly, 
“ I don’t think you ought to send that dress with- 
out asking your grandmother if you may.” 

It isn’t Grandmother’s dress ! And if I did 
wait the box would be gone. — Uncle Cliff wouldn’t 
care.” 

“ There’ll be more boxes.” 

‘‘ And more dresses ! And this dress is going 
in this box — straight to Texas.” 

“ Well,” Sarah said uncertainly, — oh. Blue 
Bonnet, let me fold it ! ” 

“ Wait a moment.” Blue Bonnet had gone over 
to her upper drawer; in its depleted condition, it 
was comparatively easy to find her little purse. 
‘‘ It isn’t as empty as it might be, nor as full as 
I wish it were,” she laughed. Next she went to 
her desk, where she wrote on a scrap of paper, 

— ** From a Texas Blue Bonnet.” The paper was 
slipped into the purse, the purse into the pocket of 
the dress. I’m mighty glad now I insisted on 
a pocket in all my dresses,” she said. “ Now, I 


VICTOR 


151 


reckon, Sarah, we’ll have to go to bed — I prom- 
ised Aunt Lucinda to be in on time.” 

Sarah was standing on the hearthrug. Blue 
Bonnet,” she said, “ you make me dizzy. You do 
the oddest, nicest things — just as if they weren’t 
anything at all ! ” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “ Sarah,” and Sarah was 
quick to recognize the tone, “ I should like to have 
you analyze that sentence.” 

Sarah had begun to take off collar and hair- 
ribbon. “ It must be nice, having a room to your- 
self. This is quite the prettiest room I’ve ever 
seen.” 

‘‘ Grandmother arranged it for me — wasn’t it 
dear of her! I brought some of the Mexican 
blankets and things with me. It’s a great deal 
prettier than my room at home — I didn’t think 
much about such things there; I’m going to after 
I go back. But, Sarah, I think it would be per- 
fectly lovely, sharing one’s room.” 

You have everything you want, don’t you?” 
Sarah said, a note of something a little like envy 
in her voice. There were so many things Sarah 
could not help wanting, and could not have. 

Blue Bonnet was brushing her hair out; she 
looked up, her eyes dark with sudden feeling. “ I 
haven’t any — every other girl in our set — has 
a father and mother.” 

The next morning. Blue Bonnet’s contribution 


152 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


was left at the parsonage, — Sarah promising that 
it should go in the box; also that it should go 
unopened. 

Blue Bonnet thought about it a good deal that 
morning; it gave her a warm glow of satisfac- 
tion to feel that she had helped in the making 
of that Texas box. After this, she meant to send 
something in every box, though, no matter where 
its destination. 

And when Miss Rankin asked her the principal 
products of Brazil, Blue Bonnet, who was trying 
to imagine what that other Texas girl was like, 
answered, Missionary boxes.’’ 

There was an irrepressible murmur of amuse- 
ment. ‘‘ Elizabeth ! ” Miss Rankin exclaimed, 
“What are you thinking of?” 

“ Missionary boxes, Miss Rankin,” the girl an- 
swered. 

Miss Rankin rapped sharply for order. “ Eliza- 
beth — ” 

“ I was, truly,” Blue Bonnet said earnestly. 
“ They were getting one ready at the parsonage 
yesterday afternoon, and I got to thinking about 
it, and how nice they were ; but I’ll tell you 
the products of Brazil now, if I may. Miss Ran- 
kin?” 

“Very well,” the teacher answered; “after this 
try to keep those wandering thoughts of yours 
on the subject in hand.” 


VICTOR 


153 


“ Yes, Miss Rankin,” Blue Bonnet answered. 

“ Blue Bonnet, how could you ! ” Sarah ex- 
claimed, the moment the bell rang for morning 
recess. 

“Blue Bonnet, you duck!” Kitty added. “For 
once a geography lesson was interesting, — only. 
I’d like to see one of the rest of us dare to answer 
like that!” 

“ But it was so,” Blue Bonnet insisted. “ Sarah, 
do you suppose it’s on its way by now ? ” 

“ It’s going on the noon train,” Sarah answered. 

Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda would not be 
back until early afternoon, so Blue Bonnet had 
coaxed Katy, the cook, into putting up some lunch 
for her to take to school. Kitty and Debby had 
brought theirs, and the three had a delightful time 
together in one corner of the almost empty class- 
room. 

Going home from school that afternoon, with 
every step bringing her nearer to her grandmother 
and her aunt. Blue Bonnet’s growing doubts as 
to how the news of her contribution to the sewing 
society’s box would be received grew very rapidly 
indeed. She went up the path to the house at 
a much slower pace than usual, answering Solo- 
mon’s rush of welcome rather soberly. If only 
Aunt Lucinda would be out — Grandmother was 
so much more — reasonable. But no, there they 
both sat, each at her accustomed window. Blue 


154 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Bonnet began to think that missionary boxes — 
like a good many other things — had their objec- 
tionable side. 

“ And how did you and Sarah manage last 
night?’' Miss Clyde asked, as Blue Bonnet sat 
down on the end of the lounge nearest Grand- 
mother. 

Blue Bonnet’s greeting had been rather subdued. 
There was the suspicion of a smile about the cor- 
ners of Mrs. Clyde’s mouth — Sarah had been 
chosen for the express purpose of keeping Blue 
Bonnet out of mischief; but — unless all signs 
failed — 

‘‘We got on nicely,” Blue Bonnet answered 
slowly. “ Grandmother, I gave my red dress to 
the missionary box.” 

“ Elizabeth ! ” Miss Clyde exclaimed. 

“ It was going to Texas — and Sarah said they 
were so poor — and that there was a girl about 
my age. I did want to send something worth 
while — and I put my purse in the pocket.” 

“ What else did you send ? ” Miss Clyde asked, 
as Blue Bonnet ended. 

“ Only some ribbons, and gloves, and little things 
— I had such a lot. I’ll go without a red dress 
all winter, if you like. Aunt Lucinda.” 

“ What end would that serve, Elizabeth ? ” 

“ I don’t know,” Blue Bonnet answered ; “ I 
thought maybe you*d think I ought to.” 


VICTOR 


155 


Miss Clyde took several rather impatient stitches. 
It was Grandmother who spoke next. 

Blue Bonnet/’ she said, I can understand how 
you came to do this; but as long as you are under 
our care, it would be better for you to consult 
either your aunt or myself before giving away any 
of your clothes. You are too young to give indis- 
criminately, or on your own responsibility. Some 
day, you will probably have it in your power to 
give freely and generously; but, dear, you must 
learn how to use that power to the best advantage.” 

“ Yes, Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet answered 
soberly. She wished Aunt Lucinda wouldn’t sit 
there looking so — displeased; it was almost as 
bad as being scolded. Blue Bonnet drew a long 
breath. Life in Woodford was so complicated. 
If she’d given all her dresses away, when she was 
at home. Uncle Cliff wouldn’t have been vexed. 

Mrs. Clyde saw the wistful look in the girl’s 
eyes. “ After all, dear,” she said gently, “ it was 
a kind impulse ; and somewhere out in that beloved 
Texas of yours is a girl whose winter will be 
much brighter because of it. And now for your 
walk — not too long a one.” 

“ I’ll remember. Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet 
said. 

“ Mother,” Miss Clyde exclaimed, the moment 
Blue Bonnet had gone, “ do you mean to spoil 
the girl utterly?” 


156 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Fm not afraid,” Mrs. Clyde answered ; '' hers 
is too sweet a nature. She has all her mother’s 
impulsive generosity — which must be directed, not 
repressed.” 

When Blue Bonnet came back an hour later, she 
found Miss Clyde alone in the sitting-room. 

“ Have you had a pleasant walk. Blue Bonnet? ” 
her aunt asked. 

The girl came forward eagerly. “ Very, Aunt 
Lucinda; and please, the girls want me to go for 
a long walk to-morrow afternoon — ’way up to 
the old ‘ hunters’ cabin.’ May I ? ” 

Is that standing yet ? I used to go up there 
when I was a girl.” 

‘‘May I go. Aunt Lucinda?” 

“ Why, yes. Blue Bonnet,” Aunt Lucinda an- 
swered. 

There was distinct interrogation in Sarah’-s eyes 
when she and Blue Bonnet met the next after- 
noon. Blue Bonnet ignored it completely; to all 
intents and purposes, she had never heard of a 
missionary box. 

Debby and Kitty made up the rest of the party, 
the other three having been unable to come. It 
was a long walk — the latter half principally a 
climb — before they reached the little disused cabin 
standing on a bit of woodland clearing, far up on 
one of the hills back of Woodford. 


VICTOR 


157 


It was a mild day, with a soft haze blurring the 
view from the high point on which the cabin stood; 
but the four girls sitting on an old log before the 
door were not greatly disappointed. They had 
come for the mere pleasure of the coming; and 
now they rested, contentedly enjoying the apples 
which Blue Bonnet had supplied — it being her 
week to provide the refreshments, which were 
always a part of these Saturday afternoon tramps. 

“ Apples are all very well,” Kitty remarked, ta- 
king a second one, but — ” 

“ I know you’d rather have candy,” Blue Bonnet 
said, her face reddening ; “ but I hadn’t any money 
— I sha’n’t have any before the first of the month. 
I’ll treat twice running then, to make up. Aunt 
Lucinda won’t let me borrow; I — she said so 
this morning.” 

“ You’ve spent all your allowance for this 
month ? ” Kitty cried. 

“ I’ve — used it. There’s Alec.” Blue Bonnet 
pointed to the winding road down below. Alec 
was coming towards them on Victor. 

“ He hasn’t seen us yet,” Debby said ; “ doesn’t 
he look tired ? ” 

‘‘ It’s too long a ride for him — it’s a great deal 
longer by the road,” Kitty declared. ‘‘ Alec isn’t 
strong, but he won’t give in. Papa says his will 
power is wonderful.” 

Alec had seen them now. Presently he came 


158 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


round the curve, throwing himself off his horse 
with an involuntary sigh of weariness. “ What 
are you all doing up here — and where are the rest 
of you? ” he asked. 

“ Having a good time,’’ Blue Bonnet told him. 

“ Why didn’t you choose a warmer spot? ” Alec 
was shivering. 

Sarah jumped up. “ Let’s go inside and make 
a fire — the chimney’s all right. 

They gathered dried wood and underbrush, Alec 
produced matches, and they soon had a bright fire 
roaring and leaping in the fireplace, that took up 
nearly all of one side of the little cabin. 

Sitting on the floor before it in a semi-circle, 
they told stories in turn, beginning with Sarah. 

Suddenly Alec, who had been strangely silent 
for some moments, keeled quietly over in a little 
heap. 

In a moment Sarah, kneeling beside him, had 
lowered him gently, until his head rested on the 
cabin floor. “ It’s only a faint,” she said, her hand 
on his wrist ; “ he’s overtired, and his heart isn’t 
very strong. But I think he ought to have a doctor. 
Where could we catch your father, Kitty ? ” 

“ He was going out on the mill road — he’s due 
at Nesbit’s farm about five.” 

It’s nearly five now,” Debby said, looking at 
her watch. 


VICTOR 


159 


“ I’ll go right over there,” Kitty offered ; “ I’ll 
be as quick as possible, but it’s a rough road.” 

“If only one of you could ride over — on 
Victor?” Sarah said anxiously. “Oh, Blue Bon- 
net, you must ride — all Western girls do, don’t 
they ? Ride all sorts of horses ? ” 

“Yes, I ride,” Blue Bonnet answered; would 
the others see how she was trembling? 

“ Victor goes like the wind,” Debby said. 

There was a moment’s silence. To Blue Bonnet, 
it seemed as if she had been standing there in 
wretched indecision for hours. And yet she knew 
it was only a moment before she heard herself 
saying quietly, “ Of course. I’ll go, Sarah.” 

Kitty and Debby went out with her to where 
Victor stood tied; he whinnied with pleasure at 
sight of them. 

“ You are sure you can ride him? ” Debby asked. 
“ He’s pretty wild.” 

Blue Bonnet did not answer; she was stroking 
Victor’s head with fingers that would tremble. 

“ Isn’t it good you’re not afraid ? ” Kitty said 
excitedly. “ I’d be frightened to death.” 

“Afraid!” Blue Bonnet wondered if anyone 
had ever known what fear was — as she knew 
it at that moment. “ How shall I get to Nes- 
bit’s ? ” she asked. 

And Kitty told her. 


160 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Then came Victor’s share in the discussion. 
Would he let her mount? 

Decidedly, it appeared that he would not. Blue 
Bonnet breathed a little easier. If he would not let 
her mount, she could not be to blame — not even in 
her own eyes. 

Then, in a moment, all the girl’s fighting blood 
was up, — and she knew that she meant to win 
the struggle. 

“ Victor, ” she whispered, her hand on the horse’s 
glossy neck, “ Victor, fight with me, not against me, 
and help me to be a victor, too.” 

Perhaps the horse understood ; perhaps there 
was something magical in the touch of Blue Bon- 
net’s fingers, for suddenly he stood quite still. 

The next moment Blue Bonnet was in the saddle 
and they were off. 


CHAPTER X 


UNCLE CLIFF 

It was a rough ride, the narrow down-hill road 
turning abruptly more than once; then came a short 
cut across country through seldom-used lanes, with 
a field to cross before reaching the broad mill road. 

At first, Victor was disposed to repent his sudden 
yielding; disposed to display that repentance very 
actively. And then Victor realized that the hand 
on the bridle rein was firm and steady — the hand 
of the master; and that his rider, if only a girl, 
knew how to ride. 

And all the way, above the hurry and excitement, 
above her anxiety for Alec, one thought rang tri- 
umphantly through Blue Bonnet’s mind — she was 
not afraid. 

Dr. Clark, gathering up the reins, preparatory 
to leaving Nesbit’s, saw the hurrying horse and 
waited. Ten chances to one, he was wanted. 

Well ! ” he exclaimed, as Blue Bonnet drew 
up beside the gig, any of you girls come a 
cropper? ” 

“ It’s Alec, Dr. Clark ! ” Slipping out of the 
saddle. Blue Bonnet told her errand. “ Til go back 
161 


162 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


with you,” she added. “ Victor’s had pretty hard 
service this afternoon; I’ll leave him here for some 
one to look after him, and take him home by and 
by.” 

‘‘ Well, Miss Elizabeth, you surely can ride ! ” 
the doctor said, as Blue Bonnet climbed in beside 
him; and he marvelled over the sudden lighting up 
of her blue eyes. 

Kitty was watching anxiously for them, “ Alec 
seems some better, papa,” she said ; I am glad 
you’ve come.” 

Alec was lying before the fire, his head resting 
on an impromptu pillow made of the girls’ jackets. 
He smiled deprecatingly, at sight of the doctor. 
“ It’s too bad, sir, to have brought you ’way up 
here. I’d have been all right presently.” 

‘‘ Nice retired little spot you chose to do this in,” 
Dr. Clark said, his hand on Alec’s pulse. ‘‘ Suppose 
you’d been alone, young man? Kitty, isn’t there 
a spring about here ? ” the doctor took out his 
medicine case. 

“Where’s Blue Bonnet?” Alec asked. 

“ I’m here,” the girl answered. She was sitting 
back of him, at one corner of the fireplace. 

“Did Victor go — well?” 

“ Magnificently.” 

Alec tried to raise himself. “ Not just yet,” the 
doctor told him. He stood a moment, looking down 
at the group. “ Sarah, I’m going to leave you and 


UNCLE CLIFF 


163 


Elizabeth here with Alec; I’ll drive round by the 
General’s, and have the carriage sent up — it’ll be 
easier than the gig. Debby and Kitty can go back 
with me. I’ll stop at your place, Elizabeth, and 
at the parsonage.” 

Sarah followed the doctor to the gig. “ Is Alec 
all right now?” she asked. 

‘‘ He’s a good deal better; just keep him quiet.” 

Sarah went back to the cabin. Blue Bonnet had 
piled on fresh sticks and dried moss, and the little 
place was warm and bright. 

“ It’s a real adventure, isn’t it ? ” she said, as 
they listened to Nannie picking her careful way 
down the rough, hillside road. 

I bet you two are hungry,” Alec answered. 

‘‘ Being a little hungry is part of the fun,” Blue 
Bonnet declared ; it’s like being besieged, or cast 
on a desert island.” 

‘‘With the comforting certainty of being res- 
cued,” Sarah added. 

“ I reckon Aunt Lucinda’s wondering what mis- 
chief I’m up to now,” Blue Bonnet laughed; “I 
was to be in before dark without fail.” 

“ Where’s Victor ? ” Alec asked suddenly. 

“ I left him at Nesbit’s; Jim’s going to take him 
home after a while,” Blue Bonnet answered. She 
leaned forward, reading the unspoken question in 
Alec’s eyes. ''Everything's all right,” she said 
earnestly. 


164 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Wasn’t it good, Blue Bonnet, that Victor let 
you ride him, and that you weren’t afraid? ” Sarah 
said. 

Blue Bonnet threw a handful of dried cones on 
the fire. “ I think Victor really enjoyed that ride 
— I know I did.” 

The talk died down; Alec seemed drowsy, and 
the other two were anxious not to disturb him. 
Once Sarah asked in a whisper, Blue Bonnet, what 
are you thinking about ? ” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes were on the fire, seeing pic- 
tures there in the flickering lights that Sarah could 
only guess at. “ Different things,” she answered 
slowly. 

“ They must be pleasant thoughts.” 

They are. Sarah, did you ever have a wish — 
a very special wish — come true ? ” 

“ I don’t know,” Sarah said thoughtfully; ‘‘ I try 
not to wish for things that can’t come true.” 

There’s the carriage, Sarah.” Blue Bonnet 
jumped up. 

A moment or so later, they heard it draw up 
before the cabin; the next instant. General Trent 
stood in the low doorway, shading his eyes from 
the glare of the fire. 

Grandfather! ” Alec exclaimed, you shouldn’t 
have come, sir ! ” 

“ What in the world have you been up to, Alec ? ” 
the General asked. Lifting the boy, he carried him 


UNCLE CLIFF 


165 


out to the carriage, in spite of Alec’s protestations 
that he was quite able to walk. 

Norah had sent a plentiful supply of pillows and 
shawls, and Alec was made warm and comfortable 
on the back seat, with Sarah beside him to see that 
he kept his manifold wrappings on. “ I’ll never, 
never do it again,” he declared. Sarah, I simply 
won’t have another pillow near me.” 

Blue Bonnet was in front with the General. 
Once down the stony, winding road and out on the 
broad, level mill road, the latter turned to her, lay- 
ing a hand on her loosely clasped ones. 

You’ve put me under a big obligation to-day. 
Miss Elizabeth,” he said. Upon my word, I wish 
I’d been there to see that ride.” 

“ I’ve only been trying to pay my debts a little. 
General,” the girl answered ; “ Alec’s been mighty 
good to me — lots of times. And besides, I — oh, 
I am glad I went.” 

Which doesn’t in the least alter what I have 
just said. Miss Elizabeth.” 

Supper had been over for some time when Blue 
Bonnet reached home; but Miss Lucinda had ar- 
ranged a little round table for her by the sitting- 
room fire, where she supped quite in state. 

“ And you rode Victor ! ” Aunt Lucinda said. 
Dr. Clark’s few hurried words of explanation and 
praise had sent a thrill of pride through Miss Clyde. 
‘‘ My dear, suppose he had thrown you ! ” 


166 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


But he didn’t, Aunt Lucinda ; he behaved 
beautifully, after the first. And he did go — it was 
riding ! ” 

And when, presently. Miss Clyde had gone over 
to inquire about Alec, Blue Bonnet came to sit in 
her favorite place, the hearth-rug, her head on her 
grandmother’s knee. Grandmother,” she said 
softly, ‘‘ I’m very — happy.” 

Mrs. Clyde smoothed back the tumbled hair with 
a hand that trembled a little. And I, too, dear — 
though possibly from a different reason. I am very 
glad I didn’t know about that ride at the time. Blue 
Bonnet.” 

Grandmother, there’s some use now trying to 
make myself fit to go back — I’m not afraid any 
more. I don’t think I ever shall be — again. I 
was, — when Sarah asked me to go, — horribly 
afraid. Then Victor wouldn’t let me mount, and 
I forgot everything else but my determination to 
make him. And then, oh. Grandmother, just when 
it was the hardest, — after we were off, I mean, 
and Victor was acting — rather lively, — it sud- 
denly came over me that I wasn’t in the least 
afraid.” 

“ I am very glad, dear. Do you remember want- 
ing to do something Wery particular’ for Alec?” 

But Grandmother, this wasn’t anything ! Kitty 
would have gone if I hadn’t.” 

“ Kitty would have had to walk, dear, and you 


UNCLE CLIFF 


167 


were only just in time to catch the doctor. In such 
cases, the sooner help comes the better.’' 

For a moment Blue Bonnet did not answer. 
When she did speak, it was to ask, Grandmother, 
can it be arranged ? I should like to have a saddle- 
horse now.” 

I think it can, dear.” 

“ General Trent said something about a mare 
belonging to Mr. Darrel. I’ve seen her; she is a 
beauty — such a match for Victor.” 

Must it be a match for Victor? ” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “ I shouldn’t like it to be 
a match for Kitty’s Black Pete.” 

“ Well, we’ll see about it the first of the week,” 
Mrs. Clyde promised; “ now, I think the best thing 
for you to do is to go to bed.” 

I’m not one bit sleepy,” Blue Bonnet answered, 
— only sort of queer and shivery.” 

At which Mrs. Clyde hurried her off to bed at 
once, coming herself to see that she was well tucked 
in, and to bring her a nice warm drink. ^ T 

The next morning, it was a flushed and hoarse 
Blue Bonnet who looked up as her grandmother 
came in to see how she was. Mrs. Clyde decided 
that she must stay in bed until after breakfast, at 
least. 

Breakfast in bed was a new experience for Blue 
Bonnet; and when Aunt Lucinda brought up the 
tray, with its pretty, sprigged individual breakfast 


168 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


service, that had been her mother’s, Blue Bonnet 
thought being an invalid very delightful. 

The more so, as after breakfast she was allowed 
to come down to the sitting-room. She found Mrs. 
Clyde alone. Aunt Lucinda having gone to church. 

The weather had changed during the night; to- 
day it was gray and lowering, with a promise of 
rain in the damp wind sweeping the scattered leaves 
up drive and over lawn. 

Blue Bonnet curled herself up in a big chair at 
one side of the glowing fire, with a favorite book. 
In her deep-red dressing-gown, and pretty, fur- 
trimmed red slippers, she made a vivid spot of color 
in the somber room. And Mrs. Clyde, looking up 
from her own book more than once, wondered how 
she was ever to bear the parting with this second 
Elizabeth. 

I wonder how Alec is. Grandmother?” Blue 
Bonnet said, glancing up. Don’t you think I might 
go over for just a few minutes this afternoon?” 

'' I would rather that you didn’t go out to-day, 
dear; probably your aunt will bring word when 
she comes home.” 

And Miss Clyde did bring word that Alec was 
much better; but, like Blue Bonnet, kept at home. 

‘‘Did you see Solomon, Aunt Lucinda?” Blue 
Bonnet asked. 

“ He was down at the gate watching when I 
came from church.” 


UNCLE CLIFF 


169 


I suppose he wonders where I am,” Blue Bonnet 
said longingly ; I haven’t said good morning to 
him, yet.” 

Miss Lucinda went away to take off her hat and 
coat. She came back soon, behind her a little 
wriggling brown dog, who was all over Blue Bonnet 
in a moment, licking her hands and all of her face 
he could reach. 

Solomon, you darling ! ” then Blue Bonnet 
looked at her aunt. “ Aunt Lucinda, did you tell 
him he might come ? ” 

Miss Clyde smiled. “ Well,” she said slowly, 
“ Solomon has improved a good deal lately ; it seems 
as if he were entitled to a few extra privileges. 
As for Solomon’s mistress, I am quite sure she is 
— after yesterday afternoon.” 

‘‘Solomon, do you hear?” Blue Bonnet bent 
to pat Solomon, who by now was sitting sedately on 
the hearth-rug, looking about the room with ap- 
proving eyes. “ You’re promoted, Solomon, and 
it’s up to you, sir, not to get demoted. It’s a ter- 
rible disgrace, Solomon, to be demoted.” 

By the next day the rain had come; and Blue 
Bonnet, though much better, was kept at home 
from school. At first, the prospect of a long, idle 
day was delightful, the only drawback being that 
it must be passed indoors; but before noontime 
came. Blue Bonnet was actually wishing that she 
might go to school. 


170 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ Honestly, Fm all right, Grandmother,’' she 
coaxed; “at home, I never stay in on account of 
rain.” 

“ Not before to-morrow morning, dear,” Mrs. 
Clyde answered. “If you are as much better then, 
you shall go.” 

Blue Bonnet stirred impatiently. “I — I just 
hate having to stay home from school ! ” she 
declared. 

Miss Clyde looked up from her sewing. “ Blue 
Bonnet, suppose you make out a classified list of 
all the things you really do hate.” 

Blue Bonnet colored. “ I don’t believe it would 
be a very long one,” she said, after a moment. 

“ Nor I,” her aunt answered. 

“ I wish I could get word to the girls, maybe 
some of them would come up after school.” 

“ I think,” Mrs. Clyde said, “ it is a case where 
mental telepathy will prove quite adequate.” 

She was right; the six other members of the 
“ We are Seven’s ” appeared in a body, as soon 
after school as possible. 

“ Well, Blue Bonnet Ashe,” Kitty said, “ why 
weren’t you at school ? ” 

“ I couldn’t come.” 

“ We missed you a lot,” Debby assured her. 

“ And the ‘ rankin’ officer ’ didn’t have to read 
the riot act nearly as much as usual — not more 
than once, for a fact ! ” Kitty added. 


UNCLE CLIFF 


171 


Whom did she read it to that once? ” Blue Bon- 
net asked. 

‘‘To Kitty,” Ruth answered, “ Kitty got a pre- 
cious raking-over.” 

“ It was very ungrateful in her,” Kitty declared ; 
“ I was only trying to keep her from missing Blue 
Bonnet too much.” 

They gathered about the fire in the back parlor, 
talking and laughing, their voices sending pleasant 
echoes through the old house. 

Presently Delia appeared with hot chocolate, 
and the little frosted cakes, the recipe for which 
was a Clyde secret. 

“ Here be luxury ! ” Kitty cried. “ Blue Bonnet, 
do you have these cakes all the time? ” 

“ Not for breakfast — as a rule.” 

“ Alec wasn’t at school, either,” Sarah said ; 
“ but he’s a great deal better.” 

“ Oh, Blue Bonnet ! ” Amanda leaned forward 
eagerly; “wasn’t it awful riding Victor?” 

“ See here. Blue Bonnet Ashe,” Kitty broke in 
excitedly ; “ I simply can’t stand it another mo- 
ment.” 

“ But you seem to be sitting down,” Blue Bonnet 
said. 

“ I’ve got to know why — when you could ride 
— and ride like that — you wouldn’t.” 

“ It doesn’t strike me as such a very necessary 
piece of knowledge,” Blue Bonnet answered. 


172 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Now you’re hedging — I feel it in your voice ! ” 

Blue Bonnet’s color rose. I was.” 

“ Kitty,” Debby protested, “ how can you ! ” 

Kitty laughed mischievously. '' Look here, 
Debby, you go play in your own back yard, that’s 
a good girl.” 

“ And you haven’t told Blue Bonnet your idea,” 
Susy put in. 

“Has she one?” Blue Bonnet asked politely. 

“ You go play with Debby, Susy,” Kitty advised. 
“ Now, Blue Bonnet, I’m waiting to hear your 
reason.” 

“ You’ll have to wait a good while, Kitty.” 

“ I sha’n’t tell you my idea — and it’s a beauty 
— until you tell me what I want to know. Blue 
Bonnet Ashe.” 

“ Then you’ll never tell me it, little Miss Why.” 

Across the low tea-table their eyes met; it was 
the gray, not the blue ones, which wavered first. 
“ Keep your old secret,” Kitty pouted. “ Sarah, 
you can tell the idea — I won’t.” 

“ Kitty thought,” Sarah began, anxious to steer 
the conversation into smoother channels, “ that it 
would be nice for us seven to form a riding club.” 

“ How perfectly lovely ! ” Blue Bonnet went to 
sit beside Kitty on the lounge. 

“Then you do like to ride?” the latter asked. 

“ I adore it ! But Sarah,” Blue Bonnet turned 
wonderingly, “ I thought you didn’t ride.” 


UNCLE CLIFF 


173 


“ I used to a little ; I think I shall take it up 
again.” 

“ Oh, Sarah’s only going into it from a sense 
of duty,” Kitty warned, “ and it’ll be our duty to 
see that she gets her money’s worth. Were you 
expecting to be able to ride Victor, Sarah, before 
the season’s over?” 

“ Kitty, sometimes you are positively rude.” 

Pass the cakes to Kitty, Amanda, please,” Blue 
Bonnet asked. 

‘‘ We thought,” Sarah went on, “ that we’d try 
to ride together every Saturday afternoon.” 

‘‘ And it’s to be a real club,” Kitty broke in, 
“ with dues — ” 

‘‘ There’ll be more doings than dues where you 
are, Kitty,” Susy exclaimed. 

“ And we must have a clubroom,” Ruth added, 
“ where we can meet when the weather’s too bad 
for riding.” 

‘‘ Or on the days when Blue Bonnet doesn’t want 
to ride, and won’t tell why,” Kitty said. 

‘‘ On stormy days we could bring our work, and 
one of us could read aloud,” Sarah suggested; 

travels, or something instructive.” 

** You’ll be traveling, Sarah Blake, if you spring 
any more such ideas on us ! ” Kitty protested. 

Now, let’s form, here and now.” 

Blue Bonnet was unanimously chosen president; 
Sarah, treasurer. That’ll be enough officers,” 


174 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Kitty insisted. Membership was to be limited to 
the “ We are Seven’s/’ but each member would be 
entitled to invite one friend for the rides. 

And then suddenly the new president gave a cry 
of dismay. ‘‘ I can’t join — not before next 
month. I haven’t any money ! ” she cried. 

“ But it’s only twenty-five cents ! ” Kitty said. 

I haven’t five cents ! ” 

“ I’ll lend you the money,” Susy said. 

“ I can’t borrow.” 

“ You needn’t pay up until next month,” Debby 
suggested. 

“ Well, we’ll find a way,” Susy promised, as 
they rose to go. 

Blue Bonnet was standing by the sitting-room 
window, watching them down the street, when 
Alec came up behind her. “How’s the invalid?” 
he asked. 

She turned eagerly. “ Isn’t that for you to say ? 
You are better, Alec?” 

“ Better ! I’m all right ; though I nearly brought 
on another collapse trying to assure Grandfather 
of the fact.” 

They sat down before the fire. Blue Bonnet 
telling him of the new club. 

“ You’ve got your wish, haven’t you. Blue 
Bonnet ? ” the boy said. 

“Yes, — thanks to you and Victor.” 

“ Thanks to nobody but yourself.” Alec rose. 


UNCLE CLIFF 


175 


‘‘I promised Grandfather not to stay long; I had 
to come over — to thank you — I mean, to try 
to” 

** Please don’t — it wasn’t anything.” 

Not anything! Alec thought of the girl sitting 
with bowed head on the stile — “ Not anything I ” 
he repeated gravely. 

And it brought me — everything.” 

‘‘Blue Bonnet, I’m mighty glad of that; all the 
same. I’ll never forget.” At the door, he stopped 

“ Woodford shall many a day tell of the plucky way 
In which our Blue Bonnet rode over the border,” 

he sang softly. 

It was Grandmother who found “ the way.” 

Blue Bonnet told her of the new club that eve- 
ning during the twilight talk which had become a 
regular institution. “ I might write to Uncle Cliff — 
he’d send me all the money I wanted ; that wouldn’t 
be borrowing, nor running ahead. I suppose, 
though. Aunt Lucinda wouldn’t like that ? ” 

“Or you might come to me,” Mrs. Clyde sug- 
gested. 

“ But I thought — ” 

“ Oh, I shall not lend you anything ; neither 
shall I give you very much, — seeing that your 
aunt is trying to teach you a much needed lesson 
in forethought, — but I think, considering how 


176 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


and why your allowance was used, dear, that I 
may be allowed to stretch a point this time.’’ And 
then Grandmother went on to propose that the 
club should make use of one of the rooms in the 
ell, — a big, sunny room, with convenient access 
to the back stairway. 

“ Grandmother ! ” Blue Bonnet declared, it’ll 
be perfectly lovely. You are certainly the dearest 
grandmother that ever was ! ” 

The new club went on its first ride the follow- 
ing Saturday afternoon. The mounts were varied. 
Blue Bonnet, on Darrel’s mare, leading the march, 
both figuratively and literally. Debby, Ruth, and 
Susy had mustered fairly good horses; Kitty’s 
Black Pete had occasional moments of brilliancy, 
and more than occasional ones of obstinacy; 
Amanda’s sober gray mare was quite as active as 
Amanda wished; while Sarah plodded along on 
what Kitty called the most ministerial of horses, 
taking her ride as gravely as she did most 
things. 

‘‘ Sarah ! ” Kitty demanded impatiently, did 
your mother tell you not to go out of sight of 
the house? ” 

Sarah’s light blue eyes expressed wonder. “ Cer- 
tainly not; how could I be out riding if she 
had?” 

‘‘ Oh, you are out riding ! ” Kitty said. “ I 
thought you were standing still ! ” 


UNCLE CLIFF 


177 


Blue Bonnet wheeled about. ‘‘ As president of 
this club, I positively forbid any more impertinence 
from our youngest member. You are the young- 
est, you know, Kitty — you’re only fourteen. 
Come on, Sarah.” 

She says she is coming,” Kitty retorted. 
“ She’s moving almost as fast as a glacier.” 

Blue Bonnet’s rides were by no means confined 
to the weekly ones with the club. Darrel’s mare 
had been transferred to the Clyde stables; and 
on most afternoons, a slender, bright-faced girl 
in dark blue riding-habit was to be seen riding 
at a brisk pace in and out about Woodford. Some- 
times with one or more companions; often alone; 
but always attended by a small brown dog, who 
appeared to think these riding expeditions had 
been instituted for his special benefit. 

They were coming home one afternoon — Blue 
Bonnet and Solomon — from a swift canter, when 
Blue Bonnet caught sight of some one waiting on 
the front piazza. The girl’s heart gave a sudden 
leap. With a quick dash forward, she reached 
the steps as Mr. Ashe came down them. 

Honey ! ” the latter exclaimed. 

“Uncle Cliff! When did you come?” 

“ Got here about an hour ago. Honey.” He held 
out his arms, and she slipped lightly into them, 
to be held very closely for a moment before he let 
her go. 


178 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ You’ve been here a whole hour — and I never 
knew ! ” Blue Bonnet said. 

“ Oh, well, I calculated on staying over night, 
Eliza — ” 

Instantly her hand was over his mouth. ‘‘ You’re 
not to call me that! I’m Blue Bonnet.” 

Uncle Cliff laughed. ** I reckon you are Blue 
Bonnet all right.” 

They went indoors together; Blue Bonnet cling- 
ing to him as if she could never let him go again. 
Half-way down the hall, Mr. Ashe stopped abruptly, 
holding her off at arm’s length. You’ve grown. 
Honey, — and,” he could keep the words back no 
longer, ‘‘ Honey, you came up the drive just now 
like your father’s own girl. See here, B^lue Bonnet, 
your grandmother’s been telling me something 
that you should have told me long ago; she’s been 
telling me the sequel of the story, too. Never you 
say again you’re not an Ashe ‘ clear through.’ 
My, but Uncle Joe’s going to be proud to hear 
of it.” 

‘‘ I wish he had come, too.” 

'' He sent you a bit of the ranch — in damp 
cotton.” 

Blue Bonnet was half-way upstairs in a moment. 
She came down to supper, with some of the blue 
bonnets at the throat of her white wool blouse, 
and they were not bluer than the shining eyes 
above them. 


UNCLE CLIFF 


179 


The club received Mr. Ashe enthusiastically, 
though at heart a little anxiously. Kitty had 
promptly voiced this anxiety in the first moment 
of meeting him, the day after his arrival. “ Have 
you come to take Blue Bonnet back ? ” she de- 
manded. 

Mr. Ashe’s only answer was a little laugh that 
might have meant yes, or no. 

Kitty was not the only one to ask the question, 
though perhaps the only one to put it so bluntly. 
Grandmother asked it with her eyes a good many 
times during the days that followed. 

“ But he couldn’t take her back,” Ruth said, one 
afternoon; ‘‘she came to go to school.” 

“ He’s her guardian — she has to do whatever 
he says,” Debby added. 

Kitty shook her red head wisely. “ You mean, he 
has to do whatever she says, and if she wants to 
go — I tell you one thing, we’ll mob him if he 
tries it.” 

Mr. Ashe was to be the guest of honor at the 
club’s ride that day; following the ride, the club 
were to be his guests at a dinner at the^hotel. A 
dinner at which the souvenirs were gold stick-pins 
in the form of miniature riding whips — and which 
were adopted as the club emblem then and there. 
Altogether, a delightful affair, with menu cards 
and table decorations bearing witness to the fact 
that it was a dinner given to a riding club. 


180 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


All the same,” Kitty faced Mr. Ashe squarely 
across the low horseshoe mound of flowers, “ you 
can't have Blue Bonnet ! ” 

“Why not?” he asked. 

“ She belongs to us.” 

“Oh, she does, does she?” Mr. Ashe said; his 
glance went from Kitty’s saucy, piquant little face 
to Blue Bonnet’s happy one. Blue Bonnet was 
getting to belong to a good many people nowadays 
it seemed. 

“ It has all been perfectly lovely,” Blue Bonnet 
told him, as they rode home together in the frosty 
starlight; she brought her horse a little nearer, 
laughing up into her uncle’s face, “ and you be- 
haved beautifully.” 

“Don’t I always?” 

“Of course, but — I was a little bit afraid you 
might — Sarah’s horse is so — even Amanda’s for 
that matter — and Black Pete sometimes — ” 

“ My dear,” Mr. Ashe replied, gravely, “ one 
of the earliest lessons taught me in my childhood 
was respect — for my elders ! ” 

Blue Bonnet was very happy those days. As 
for Uncle Cliff, he looked on and wondered; it 
was the Blue Bonnet he had always known — and 
yet a different one. A less heedless, inconsequent. 
Blue Bonnet; one more thoughtful of the comfort 
of others. 

He said something of this that evening to Mrs. 


UNCLE CLIFF 


181 


Clyde. “ I suppose it’s being with women,” he 
said. ** You’re making a little woman out of her 
— I reckon it’s what her mother would have 
wished — only, don’t take all the spirit out of 
her.” 

“ Not much danger of that,” Mrs. Clyde an- 
swered; “a little taming down will do no harm.” 

It hasn’t so far. She seems to like it back 
here all right.” 

But loves the ranch ; we shall never make an 
Easterner of her, Mr. Ashe.” 

Some one came up the path whistling All the 
Blue Bonnets ” ; and from the veranda sounded 
Blue Bonnet’s answering call. 

“ Who’s been taking up my tune ? ” Mr. Ashe 
asked. 

That was Alec ; he and Blue Bonnet are great 
chums.” 

‘‘ He’s a nice boy, — a bit too delicate ; we’ll 
have to have him out on the ranch next summer.” 

He told Blue Bonnet so later. 

“Yes,” Blue Bonnet agreed; “and then he will 
get his wish too.” 

The next day, Mr. Ashe spoke to Blue Bonnet 
about going home. It was Sunday, and they had 
been for a long walk together; to the woods to 
see the brook she had followed that never-to-be- 
forgotten day; through the meadow, where she 
had sat homesick and forlorn, that afternoon of 


182 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


her second running away from school. He had 
heard the stories of both those runnings away; 
had heard, indeed, pretty much everything that had 
happened during the past few months; and now, 
standing by the meadow gate, he asked suddenly, 
“Well, Honey, how about going back with me?’' 

She looked up quickly. “ Going back — with 
you — now. Uncle Cliff ? ” 

“Yes, Blue Bonnet — when a girl loves the 
ranch, loves everything the life there stands for, 
and isn’t afraid to ride, I don’t see that there’s 
anything left to do but take her West.” 

Before he had finished speaking. Blue Bonnet’s 
face was hidden against his arm. “ Oh, but I love 
you for saying that. Uncle Cliff! And I do love 
it out there — and I’d love to go back — and yet 
— Grandmother thinks I ought to wait and make 
myself ready; I’m not nearly ready, yet.” 

“ Aren’t you. Honey ? You seem so to me. 
But what do you think about it. Blue Bonnet ? ” 

She waited a moment, — and the old Blue Bonnet 
would not have waited. “ I’m afraid — I think 
so, too.” 

“ Maybe you’re right. Honey. “ We’ll try it a 
while longer — if you say. Suppose I leave you 
here until Spring. ” 

“I could go home for the summer?” Blue 
Bonnet said. 

“ Could! — I reckon you’re going to get the first 


UNCLE CLIFF 


183 


train out of here, as soon as school closes. As 
for coming back next fall, — we’ll wait and see.” 

“ And Solomon’s coming too,” Blue Bonnet said, 
stooping to pat the dog lying patiently at her feet. 
Solomon was tired and hungry; he didn’t under- 
stand why people waited to talk out-of-doors when 
their business of walking was over. 

“ There’ll be room for Solomon,” Mr. Ashe 
said ; ‘‘ he isn’t a bad specimen of a dog — minds 
pretty well.” 

“ Solomon’s improved a lot,” Blue Bonnet said. 
‘‘ Oh, but he will love the ranch. I wonder what 
Don will say to him; and whether Solomon will 
be as much of a surprise to the Texas dogs as 
I’ve been to the Woodford girls.” 

A little later, Mr. Ashe entered the sitting-room 
alone; Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda looked up, 
the same unspoken question on the lips of both. 

Mr. Ashe came forward. “ Well,” he said, a 
little sadly, “ it appears that I am to go back alone 

this trip.” 


CHAPTER XI 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 

But the return trip was not to be made yet ; there 
was Thanksgiving — only a matter of days now — 
to come first, not to mention Christmas. 

“ A red New England Thanksgiving ! Blue 

Bonnet checked the words off on her fingers. “ Eve 
never had one of that kind, have I? The Boston 
relatives are coming! I’m rather scared of the Bos- 
ton relatives; I’ve an idea they’ll be rather like 
Aunt Lucinda — only more so.” 

She and her uncle were walking up and down the 
veranda in the twilight, — Mr. Ashe seemed to dis- 
like going indoors quite as much as Blue Bonnet did. 
Delia had lighted up, and as they passed and re- 
passed the long windows they caught pleasant 
glimpses of mingled gas and firelight, and through 
the wide doorway, leading from sitting to dining- 
room, the table laid ready for supper. 

Mr. Ashe, taking in half unconsciously all the 
quiet, homely touches, glanced down at his com- 
panion a little anxiously. ‘‘ I reckon you’ll be hav- 
ing a lot of new experiences right along, Honey.” 

Blue Bonnet felt the thought underlying the 
words, and the hand resting lightly on his arm 
184 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 185 


tightened its pressure. Don’t you worry, Uncle 
Cliff ! Three hundred years — much less three — 
couldn’t make an Easterner of me for keeps. And 
after Thanksgiving, Christmas’ll be here in no time. 
You’d never have the heart to go back before 
Christmas? ” 

Not back. Blue Bonnet, but away for a bit. 
There’s considerable business waiting on me right 
now in New York.” 

‘‘ I wonder how it’ll seem on Christmas morning 
not to have Benita come tiptoeing ever so early into 
my room with the Christmas cake, baked just for 
me? Uncle Cliff, wouldn’t it be nice to send them 
a box? ” 

“ We’ll do it. Honey! It’ll take a pretty big box, 
won’t it ? ” 

“If you knew how perfectly lovely it is to have 
you agreeing to things first time round ! I’d like to 
pass a law making it illegal to ‘ but ’ people.” 

Mr. Ashe laughed. “ I reckon I do spoil you a bit, 
Honey I See here, suppose you come along to New 
York with me? We’ll manage to worry in a good 
time or so, between business appointments.” 

“And school?” 

“ Looks to me like you’d earned a holiday.” 

“If you’re going to talk that way. I’ll have to go 
indoors. There’ll be nearly two weeks’ holiday at 
Christmas. Only first come those horrid exams! 
Uncle Cliff, if I don’t pass, will you disown me? ” 


186 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ rd be likely to, wouldn’t I? I reckon if the 
others get through you will.” 

The thought of those mid-year examinations was 
giving Blue Bonnet a good deal of uneasiness; she 
had found out that most decidedly she did not want 
her class to go on without her. And promotion 
would not altogether depend upon the result of the 
examinations, either ; the regular class record 
counted for much — and she had done so poorly all 
the fall! 

She needed little reminding to get at her studies 
these evenings, shutting herself up alone in the back 
parlor with a fortitude that Aunt Lucinda found 
most encouraging, and Mr. Ashe inwardly deplored. 
Surely all those long hours spent at the academy 
each day were enough. He felt that Uncle Joe would 
never approve of Blue Bonnet’s being so tied 
down. 

“ You wouldn’t like to go back to a tutor, 
Honey?” he asked, the next morning during the 
walk to school. “ I reckon we could get our pick of 
them back here.” 

don’t believe I would — even if I could. 
School isn’t half bad — once you’re used to it ; 
there’s lots of fun going, though there are some 
tiresome things mixed up in it. Aunt Lucinda 
says,” Blue Bonnet’s eyes danced, ‘‘ that I need the 
discipline of school life more than any girl she has 
ever known. There, I’d nearly forgotten! Please 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 187 


lend me your knife a moment, Uncle Cliff, — I’ve 
lost mine.” 

“ It appears to me,” Mr. Ashe commented, open- 
ing his knife for her, “ that that pencil ought to be 
placed on the retired list.” 

It isn’t as bad as the rest,” she held out her 
pencil box; “ I do chew them up, or down, so.” 

‘‘ How about buying more ? ” 

“I — ” Blue Bonnet hesitated. Why had she 
called his attention to them ? I’m — going to, the 
first of the month.” 

“ ‘ The first of the month,’ ” her uncle repeated. 
** Is that one of the school regulations? ” 

Hardly ! ” Blue Bonnet laughed. ‘‘ You see, 
I’m — allowanced nowadays. Aunt Lucinda started 
in allowancing me — after the first week. She 
said I must learn to distinguish between the use and 
abuse of money.” 

Mr. Ashe pulled at his moustache. “ And — ” 
It hasn’t been such an easy lesson for me. Just 
now I’m being given a practical illustration.” 

You don’t mean. Blue Bonnet — ” Mr. Ashe’s 
hand went to his pocket. 

Blue Bonnet drew back. I can’t take anything, 
Uncle Cliff ! It wouldn’t be exactly — square, un- 
der the circumstances. There’s the bell ! Good-bye, 
and thank you just as much.” 

Mr. Ashe waited until, with a final wave of the 
hand, she had disappeared around the bend in the 


188 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


stairs ; then he paid a visit to the stationer’s on the 
corner. 

There he made a record-breaking purchase of the 
plump little woman, whom everybody in Woodford 
called Aunt Polly,” and whose tiny shop was as 
much one of the institutions of the place as the 
academy itself. 

It left Aunt Polly feeling rather breathless and 
bewildered. Was that the way they did things out 
in Texas? 

In the meantime, quite unconscious of the excite- 
ment he had left behind him, Mr. Ashe was strolling 
leisurely back to the Clyde place, stopping here and 
there to pass the time of day with various small 
Woodfordites — notably among them the “ Palmer 
baby,” once more on its travels. 

Solomon was watching for him from the gate. It 
was a delightful morning for a tramp, Solomon 
said, — as plainly as dog may. 

But Mr. Ashe shook his head, and went on in- 
doors to the sitting-room, where Miss Lucinda sat 
sewing. 

Are you too busy for a little chat — what we 
might call a business talk ? ” he asked, depositing his 
bundle on the table and taking his stand on the 
hearth-rug, with his back to the fire. 

Miss Lucinda assured him that she was quite at 
his service. 

“ I’ve been doing a little shopping,” Mr. Ashe 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 189 


nodded towards the parcel. I happened to find 
out — accidentally — that Blue Bonnet was pretty 
well reduced in the matter of school supplies.” 

Inwardly, Miss Lucinda sighed ; she knew it, and 
she had hoped, — but now — 

“ What’s Blue Bonnet getting for an allowance. 
Miss Clyde?” Mr. Ashe asked. 

‘‘ Three dollars a month.” 

“ I didn’t know until this morning that she had 
been put on an allowance.” 

“ It was the only thing to do. Blue Bonnet has no 
idea whatever as to the value of money.” 

I should judge she ought to have by now.” 

“ I am hoping she will have — a little. She gave 
her purse and its entire contents away — to say 
nothing of a new winter gown — on a moment’s im- 
pulse. Had there been thirty dollars in her purse 
instead of three, it would probably have been just 
the same.” 

“ I reckon it would,” Mr. Ashe agreed so cheer- 
fully that again Miss Lucinda sighed inwardly. 

She would give her head. Blue Bonnet would, if 
it wasn’t fastened on, and anyone asked her for it.” 

“ She certainly loses it with deplorable fre- 
quency,” Miss Lucinda remarked. 

Mr. Ashe chuckled, then said soberly : — “ Three 
dollars!” 

He was thinking of the generous mail orders, 
which had been one of the diversions of the long 


190 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


winter evenings ; of the occasional visits to the little 
country town. 

Those had been gala days on the ranch for the 
little Mexicans, — those days after the return from 
town. As for Benita, her ribbons were the envy of 
all the other women on the ranch ; while Uncle Joe’s 
stock of silk neckerchiefs was famous. 

Come to think of it, Blue Bonnet’s buying had 
mostly been for other folks. 

And they had tried to pin her down to three dol- 
lars a month! 

Mr. Ashe looked across at Miss Lucinda. “ You 
wouldn’t call three dollars a remarkably big allow- 
ance, Miss Lucinda?” 

‘‘ It is three times what several of her companions 
have,” Miss Clyde answered ; ‘‘ and they are ex- 
pected to keep themselves in gloves and ribbons. 
Blue Bonnet is only required to provide for her 
school supplies and small personal expenses.” 

‘‘ But you see Blue Bonnet will have — ” 

Miss Lucinda glanced up quickly. ‘‘ Should that 
make any difference — now ? ” 

“ I should have thought it might,” Mr. Ashe re- 
plied candidly. 

There was a short silence, then Miss Lucinda said 
slowly, I know, Mr. Ashe, that I have no right to 
dictate, that you are Blue Bonnet’s legal guardian,” 
— Miss Lucinda would not say rightful; she had 
her own opinion on that point ; “ and yet — ” 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 191 


Mr. Ashe put up a protesting hand. “ I think 
you have the right ; I daresay you are right and that 
I am wrong. I’ll try not to butt in again. I reckon 
we’ve both got the same end in view, and that 
maybe your road is the best.” 

It is not always the easiest — for either side, 
I will admit.” 

“Only you’ll let me — for this time?” Mr. 
Ashe’s hand went to his pocket again. “ After all, 
I am a visiting uncle, and the position carries with it 
certain time-honored privileges.” 

So it was that when Blue Bonnet ran up to her 
room that noon, she found a good-sized paper parcel 
on her dressing-table, and on top of the parcel a 
little old-fashioned beaded purse, and in the purse 
a bright five-dollar gold piece. 

For a moment. Blue Bonnet stood looking down 
at the purse and its contents with sober eyes; she 
had seen the little purse before, when the private 
drawer of her aunt’s desk had chanced to be left 
open. 

Blue Bonnet went in search of Miss Lucinda, 
finding her in the garden with Denham. 

“ I came to thank you. Aunt Lucinda,” she 
held out the purse ; “ I sha’n’t give this one 
away.” 

“ That is what I hoped. A very dear old friend 
made it for your mother, when she was about your 
age.” 


192 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


It was mamma’s ? ” Blue Bonnet’s face flushed ; 
then she asked — '‘You know what is inside? ” 

" You must thank your uncle for that,” Miss 
Lucinda said ; "lam not at all sure that I approve,” 
but she smiled as she said it. 

Mr. Ashe was on the veranda. " I got permis- 
sion,” he laughed, as Blue Bonnet held the purse up 
before him. " Honey, I’ve been cogitating matters. 
I reckon your aunt’s right ; the Blue Bonnet Ranch 
wouldn’t be what it is to-day if your father 
hadn’t taught himself to look ahead a bit. It 
isn’t an easy lesson for an Ashe to learn. I’ll grant 
you.” 

" I reckon Aunt Lucinda is generally right,” Blue 
Bonnet admitted ; " that’s the worst of it some- 
times.” 

"Alec,” she questioned that afternoon, as he over- 
took her on her way from school, " have you ever 
tried for this ' Sargent prize ’ they’re all beginning 
to talk about now ? ” 

" Won it — last year.” 

" You’ve never told me about it? ” 

" N-no ; I didn’t think you were much interested 
in such things.” 

"Was it hard?” 

" Not very. I didn’t go in with any expectation 
of winning. It’s only a glorified compo; you can 
choose your own subject, but it must be something 
connected more or less with local history.” 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 193 


‘‘Has Woodford a local history? The real his- 
tory-book kind ? ” 

“ Shades of my ancestors ! And yours ! Has 
Woodford any local history!!^’ 

“ Bother. I hate writing compos anyway.’’ 

“ It’s a Woodford tradition — trying for it.” 

“ Who started such a tiresome business ? ” 

“An old chap named John Sargent — years and 
years ago. He left a fund to be used for that ex- 
press purpose.” 

“ I hope he’s repented since ; he’s had time to. 
Why didn’t he leave his money for something sen- 
sible — a gym, for instance?” 

“ Perhaps in his time they went in more for high 
thinking than high swinging. You can’t compete 
until you’ve reached a certain grade — the one 
you’ll be in, after the coming exams.” 

“If—” 

“ After that you can try each grade. There’s one 
for the girls and one for the boys; conditions the 
same.” 

“ Are you going to try this time? ” 

“ Grandfather will expect me to. Besides, when 
you are in Woodford, do as — ” 

“ You like,” Blue Bonnet cut in. 

“ I’m afraid that is hardly a Woodford senti- 
ment.” 

“As if I didn’t know that! Will you come for a 
ride? I suppose Uncle Cliff’s gone in town.” 


194 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ It’ll have to be a short ride,” she said, as, a few 
moments later, Victor and Darrel’s mare started off. 
‘‘ I wish Aunt Lucinda wasn’t so fond of say- 
ing, just as one’s starting off, ‘ Remember, Blue 
Bonnet, in before dark ! ’ It does get dark so early 
now.” 

“But if she didn’t say it — would you remem- 
ber ? ” Alec laughed. 

“ I don’t see why a forgettory isn’t just as de- 
sirable as a memory,” Blue Bonnet protested. “ I’ve 
got such a good one.” 

“ Aunt Lucinda,” she asked at supper that eve- 
ning, “ did you ever try for the ‘ Sargent prize? ’ ” 

“ Won it three years running,” Mrs. Clyde an- 
swered for her daughter. 

“ Oh, me ! ” Blue Bonnet buttered her biscuit 
thoughtfully. “ Wasn’t that mighty hard on the 
others. Grandmother?” 

“ I am afraid it was, dear.” 

It seemed to Blue Bonnet that she could see the 
long line of unsuccessful aspirants drawn up on one 
side, and on the other. Aunt Lucinda — successful, 
triumphant. And, oh, dear, she felt sure that they 
would expect her to try. It would be so stupid ! All 
the “ We are Seven’s ” fussing over a tiresome 
prize — everybody talking, dreaming, thinking 
compos ! 

“If people will go in for such things there 
ought to be consolation prizes, too. Aunt Lucinda, 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 195 


Tve the loveliest plan — I mean to give the ‘ We 
are Seven’s ’ the time of their lives on Saturday.” 

“ To do what — Blue Bonnet ! ” 

“ The ‘ rankin’ off — ’ Miss Rankin says — when 
we’re writing our papers, to first find out what we 
want to say — and then say it. Just snippy little 
words — like treat, or good time — wouldn’t half 
express what I mean, Aunt Lucinda. You see,” 
Blue Bonnet went on rather hurriedly,^ getting this 
five dollars was like what Uncle Joe calls finding 
money ; and it has only got to last me until the first 
of the month, so I can — ” 

Elizabeth ! ” Miss Lucinda exclaimed ; and at 
her tone, Mrs. Clyde suddenly dropped her napkin 
— not on Blue Bonnet’s side of the table — and was 
rather slow about picking it up. 

“ I’ve had to be so skimpy lately,” Blue Bonnet 
explained. ‘‘ Grandmother, why didn’t you tell me? 
It’ll feel good to be able to cut loose again! ” 

“ In what direction were you thinking of ‘ cutting 
loose,’ Blue Bonnet?” Mrs. Clyde asked. 

'' I beg your pardon. Grandmother ! I didn’t 
know how horrid that was, until you said it ! I — I 
thought, if we seven could go in town — Uncle Cliff 
would take us. And that perhaps, we might go to 
a matinee. Just think! Sarah’s never been to the 
theater! It’d do her a lot of good! Of course 
I’d have to let Uncle Cliff pay our way in and 
out.” 


196 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Shall we talk it over later, after study-time ? 
Grandmother said, rising from the table. 

Blue Bonnet lingered, she wished Aunt Lucinda 
wouldn’t look so — so annoyed. “ Is slang very 
dreadful. Aunt Lucinda?” she asked. “All the 
girls use it.” 

“ Are you offering that as a reason, Elizabeth ? ” 

“ I reckon I was,” Blue Bonnet answered. 

“ It hardly seems a sufficient one to me.” 

“ But it’s like taking a short cut — one doesn’t 
always want to go ’round. Alec says that lots of 
to-day’s slang will be recognized English by and by.” 

“ I certainly hope Alec may prove a false prophet 
in this case.” 

Blue Bonnet went for her books ; there were times 
when Aunt Lucinda was exceedingly — difficult. 

“ Blue Bonnet,” her grandmother said, when just 
before bedtime Blue Bonnet came for their promised 
talk, “ don’t you want to share your good fortune 
with someone who really needs it? None of you 
‘ We are Seven’s ’ will lack for Thanksgiving 
cheer.” 

“ Oh, I would love that ! I never once thought 
of doing that. Grandmother, sometimes I can’t 
help being glad that some day I’ll be — well, not 
exactly poor. It’s such fun giving things to people.” 

“ Better than fun. Blue Bonnet. And the best 
thing about it is that you needn’t wait until you are 
grown-up, and ‘ not exactly poor.’ Only, dear, you 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 197 


must learn to give time and thought as well as 
money — 

“‘Not what we give, but what we share, — 

For the gift without the giver is bare.’ ” 

Blue Bonnet looked into the fire with eyes half 
grave, half eager. “ Grandmother,” she said at last, 
will you show me — how ? ” 

To the best of my ability, dear.” 

Blue Bonnet came down to breakfast the next 
morning full of the new idea. 

“ Grandmother knows of such a poor family,” she 
told her uncle ; “ I’m to send them their Thanks- 
giving turkey ; we’re going together to buy it after 
school.” 

Mr. Ashe glanced towards Miss Lucinda; he 
hoped that she properly appreciated what it was 
Blue Bonnet intended doing with her gold piece. 

“ I am afraid,” Mrs. Clyde remarked, “ that 
Blue Bonnet, in her present enthusiasm, is some- 
what inclined to look upon the troubles of the 
Patterson family in the light of a personal bless- 
ing.” 

You see,” Blue Bonnet was quite forgetting to 
eat her breakfast, I’ve never known any really 
poor people — the kind one reads about. I think it 
must be sort of interesting — being poor.” 

For them? ” her aunt asked. 

I should think it might be. Aunt Lucinda. It 


198 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


must be — a bit exciting, not being quite positive 
whether you are going to have any dinner, or not. 
And then, think what a lot of trouble they’re saved, 
not having a crowd of things to take care of and 
keep in order ! ” 

“ Bureau drawers, to wit ? ” Mrs. Clyde laughed. 

What I should like,” Blue Bonnet remarked, 
‘‘ would be a bureau without any drawers and a 
closet without any shelves.” 

'' My dear,” her aunt warned, do you see what 
time it is getting to be? ” Blue Bonnet glanced at 
the clock, then settled down to the business of break- 
fast. Aunt Lucinda had very definite ideas as to the 
proper length of time to be given to a meal; what- 
ever hurrying was done was not to be done at the 
table. 

Would you mind walking pretty fast. Uncle 
Cliff ? ” Blue Bonnet asked, as they started out 
together. 

But in spite of this precaution, she got there just 
in time to catch the first notes of the opening 
march, and to see the monitor for the day closing 
the door. That meant that she must wait in the 
outer hall until morning exercises were over. 

Well, what couldn’t be cured must be endured; 
Blue Bonnet sat down on the stairs to plan the after- 
noon’s expedition. 

Grandmother had said that the Pattersons were 
certainly poor, even if Patterson, Senior, was not 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 199 


particularly worthy. Blue Bonnet felt that she 
should not so much mind being poor, but she would 
hate to be described as worthy.” 

It was a little disappointing, however — though, 
of course, not for him — that Mr. Patterson was 
neither sick, nor out of work; merely burdened 
with a large family, and (Grandmother had been 
obliged to admit) rather lazy. 

She was glad there was a large family, and that 
she was to give them their turkey; it was very 
stupid, having school the day before Thanksgiving! 
She would have liked to be present at the packing 
of those baskets, which were always sent out at 
Thanksgiving from the Clyde place. 

There, they were opening the doors at last ! Blue 
Bonnet got up with a little sigh; she did hope Miss 
Rankin would prove amenable. She was the only 
one late in her room. 

Fortunately, Miss Rankin accepted the offered 
explanation very kindly, merely suggesting that an- 
other morning Blue Bonnet should allow herself 
more time. 

A minute does make a whole lot of difference, 
doesn’t it?” Blue Bonnet’s smile was most in- 
sinuating. 

“ When it is on the wrong side of nine o’clock,” 
Miss Rankin agreed, and Blue Bonnet went to her 
seat, utterly refusing to notice Kitty’s mocking 
uplift of the eyebrows. 


200 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


On the whole, it was not a successful day. Blue 
Bonnet drew a long breath of relief that afternoon, 
when the bell rang for dismission, and she had not 
been requested to remain. 

I reckon that was a pretty close shave,'' she re- 
joiced, as the ‘‘We are Seven's " crossed the yard 
together. 

“It was!" Debby agreed. 

“ You've got the ‘ rankin ' officer ' clean be- 
witched I " Ruth laughed. “ Hasn’t she, girls ? " 

“ We’ll have to begin calling her ‘ teacher’s pet ' 
soon," Kitty declared. 

“ I’ll never come when I'm called, then," Blue 
Bonnet retorted. 

“What’s been the matter with you to-day?" 
Amanda questioned. 

“ Nothing — except that I've had more important 
things to think about than — ” 

“ But, Blue Bonnet,” Sarah interposed gravely, 
“ I don’t think — ” 

“ Why publish the fact broadcast, Sarah? ” Kitty 
demanded. 

Sarah surveyed the impertinent Kitty disapprov- 
ingly. “ As I have said before, Kitty, sometimes 
you are positively rude.” 

“ And Sarah always speaks the truth ! ” Blue 
Bonnet laughed. 

“ Children ! Children ! " Susy protested. “ First 
thing you know, you’ll have a quarrel on.” 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 201 


“ It takes two to make a quarrel,” Sarah said, 
with considerable dignity. 

“ But only one to start one,” Kitty added ; and 
Fd just as lieve be that one as not. Think of it! 
No school until Monday morning! We ought to 
celebrate ! ” 

We’re going to to-morrow,” Debby said; “ and 
let’s have a good long ride Friday and Saturday, 
too.” 

“ Wouldn’t it be wiser to get together one after- 
noon and study up ? ” Sarah suggested. ‘‘ I’m weak 
in my algebra.” 

‘‘You’re a great deal weaker in your ideas of 
how a holiday should be spent ! ” Blue Bonnet ex- 
claimed. “ Oh, I forgot ! Grandmother will be 
waiting ! Good-bye, everybody — and some of you 
take prompt measures with Sarah if she starts any 
more such horrid schemes ! ” 

Blue Bonnet found Mrs. Clyde waiting in the 
sitting-room, while Denham drove slowly back and 
forth before the door. 

“ I’m so sorry ! ” Blue Bonnet apologized. “ I’ll 
be ready in no time. Grandmother.” 

She settled herself back beside her grandmother 
presently with one of her little sighs. “ It’s been 
such a tiresome day ! ” 

“ And the trouble, Blue Bonnet ? ” 

“ Me — mostly,” the girl answered, with the 
frankness that was apt to prove disarming. 


202 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Isn’t that a pity, dear? ” 

“ I reckon so. I surely have ' relapsed ’ a lot 
to-day; but it won’t happen again — before next 
Monday. Grandmother, won’t all the best turkeys 
be gone by now ? ” 

“ I asked Mr. Ford to save us a good one. Blue 
Bonnet;” 

“ You think of everything! I suppose Uncle Cliff 
went in town ? ” 

“ Only for an hour or two, he said,” Mrs. Clyde 
answered. 

Blue Bonnet thoroughly enjoyed that afternoon’s 
experience. Mr. Ford had saved them a fine turkey; 
but the turkey was not the only purchase to be made. 

Blue Bonnet produced the list she had made out 
during algebra lesson. I put down all the things I 
thought I should like if I were poor and someone 
were to send me a Thanksgiving dinner,” she said. 

Mrs. Clyde smiled as she studied the list. “ Sup- 
pose,” she said, ‘‘ that in place of the fruit and 
candy, we substitute sugar and coffee — two articles 
always most welcome.” 

There was a quick gleam of laughter in Blue Bon- 
net’s eyes. “ But I thought they were mostly child- 
ren, — and that you and Aunt Lucinda did not ap- 
prove of coffee for — young people ? ” It was a 
point on which Blue Bonnet was still a little unrecon- 
ciled ; coffee — and very weak coffee at that — 
at Sunday morning breakfast only, was the rule at 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 203 


the Clyde place, with reference to young folks. Blue 
Bonnet’s protests, that on the ranch she could have 
had it three times a day if she had wished, had not 
altered matters in the least. 

Grandmother’s lips twitched ever so slightly at the 
corners now. Still there are the father and 
mother. Blue Bonnet. This is to be an all-round 
basket, isn’t it ? ” 

But you’ll let the cranberries stand. Grand- 
mother? It wouldn’t be at all a proper Thanksgiv- 
ing dinner without them ! ” 

“ Certainly. And for that very reason — all the 
more need of the sugar.” 

It was dusk before they reached the little house 
on the outskirts of the town; Mr. Ford had offered 
to send the basket, but Blue Bonnet had looked so 
disappointed at the mere thought of this that Mrs. 
Clyde said they would take it themselves. 

It was a bare, forlorn little house, standing by 
itself at the top of a low hill and looking more than 
usually dreary in the gray November twilight, with 
the wind rattling the loosely hanging blinds, and 
tossing the leafless branches of the bent and twisted 
old trees. 

Two or three dogs came barking about the 
carriage as Denham drew up before the open 
gate; their noise brought a woman to the kitchen 
door. 

Is it you, ma’am ? ” she said, coming quickly 


204 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


down the path, followed by any number of small, 
untidy children. 

“ This is ' Miss Elizabeth’s ’ daughter, Jenny,” 
Mrs. Clyde said. Jenny Patterson had been second 
girl at the Clyde’s before her marriage and a favorite 
with her mistress, who had never lost sight of her. 
“ She has come to bring the children some Thanks- 
giving.” 

“ And I’m sure we’re most grateful to her for 
doin’ it.” Mrs. Patterson looked up at Blue Bonnet 
a little curiously. “ I’ve been wantin’ to see ‘ Miss 
Elizabeth’s ’ girl ; I’ve heard tell a powerful lot 
about her.” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. ‘‘ I didn’t know I was so 
famous! I suppose the children like turkey?” 

‘‘ That they do, miss I Though it’d begun to look 
like they weren’t goin’ to have any this year. Pat- 
terson ain’t been takin’ much heart in things lately. 
He’s kind — Patterson is, but I ain’t denyin’ he’s 
easy discouraged.” 

Denham had carried the basket indoors, not 
unattended; and his short cough now, as he gath- 
ered up the reins again, said as plainly as words 
that it was quite time he was getting his horses 
home. 

We must go now, Jenny,” Mrs. Clyde said. 

Good night.” 

Good night, ma’am ; thank you and the young 
lady most kindly,” Jenny answered. 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 205 


‘‘ I hope the children will like their basket,” Blue 
Bonnet said. “ It wouldn’t be the least interesting, 
being that kind of poor,” she remarked a few 
moments later, as the horses trotted briskly off in 
the direction of home and supper. “ That would 
be the difficulty, I suppose; one couldn’t choose 
one’s kind.” She was not very talkative during 
the rest of the drive; she was trying to picture to 
herself the unpacking of the basket — the children’s 
eager little faces. 

“ Grandmother,” she said, as they were nearing 
home, I’m going to start a ‘ mercy box,’ like 
Sarah has; I’ll take that china bank — you know, 
the little red and white house on the bracket in my 
room ? — and I’ll put in something every week. 
Then if I do get low in funds, myself. I’ll have 
something on hand for — other things.” 

‘‘ I think that would be an excellent idea. Blue 
Bonnet,” Mrs. Clyde answered. 

Then the carriage turned into the drive, and 
Solomon was leaping and barking about it; the 
lights indoors were throwing long shadows out 
across the lawn, and on the steps, Uncle Cliff was 
waiting to welcome them. 

“ We’ve had a beautiful time, haven’t we. Grand- 
mother ? ” Blue Bonnet said. “ It’s been every bit 
as nice as I thought it would be.” 

“ I am glad you have enjoyed it, dear,” Mrs. 
Clyde responded ; I am sure I have.” 


206 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘'My, but I am hungry!’' Blue Bonnet slipped 
an arm through her uncle’s as they went indoors. 
“ Do you suppose Katie has waffles for supper ? ” 

Katie had made waffles, and after supper Blue 
Bonnet, having done her full duty by them, de- 
cided to pay a visit to the kitchen to tell her how 
nice they had been, and to compare to-morrow’s 
turkey with the one bought for the Pattersons. 

Blue Bonnet and Katie were on excellent terms, 
and in Blue Bonnet’s opinion the big, comfortable 
kitchen, with its old-fashioned oak dresser and 
rows of shining tins, was one of the most delight- 
ful spots in the whole house. 

“ It isn’t much like ours at home,” she said now. 
“ I wonder what Lisa would say to it.” 

“ And how would yours be like this, miss, with 
only a heathen sort of body to look after it ? ” 
Katie remarked. 

“ But Lisa isn’t a heathen sort of body ! She’s 
a nice, fat old dear I And she can make tamales I ” 

“ You come look at these, miss ! ” Katie led the 
way to the great pantry, pointing proudly to one 
of the shelves, where stood five small pies in a 
row — mince, pumpkin, apple, cranberry, custard. 

“ Oh, how cute ! ” Blue Bonnet cried delightedly. 
“Are they for me?” 

“ And who else would they be for ? ’Tis some 
use, keeping holiday now, with a young body in the 
house.” 


MY LADY BOUNTIFUL 207 


“ There’ll be two to-morrow ; Alec’s coming to 
dinner. What made you think of these, Katie, 
you darling?” 

’Twas me aunt — who was cook here afore 
me — always made the little pies at Thanksgiving 
time, miss.” 

For my mother? ” Blue Bonnet asked softly. 

“ For both the young ladies in their time, miss.” 

Blue Bonnet looked down at the little pies again. 
Of course. Aunt Lucinda had been young once; 
somehow, it was hard to realize her having little 
pies made for her. Had she used to come down 
here to the pantry the night before Thanksgiving 
to inspect them? Perhaps, with mamma — who 
would have been ever so much smaller — standing 
on tiptoe to “ see too.” 

“ Do you know, Solomon,” Blue Bonnet said, 
meeting him in the hall on her way back to the 
sitting-room, and sitting down on the stairs for a 
short chat, ** things like that do — somehow — 
seem to alter one’s viewpoint ; now don’t they ? ” 


CHAPTER XII 


SENORITA 

“ So^ sir/' Blue Bonnet pointed a warning fore- 
finger at the upright Solomon, ‘‘ remember, this is 
the day when Aunt Lucinda expects everyone — 
particularly, small brown dogs and nieces from 
Texas — to do their duty! The Boston relatives 
are coming. I can’t exactly explain all that stands 
for, Solomon; but I am quite sure it means that 
they are to be taken seriously — very seriously; 
and I’m afraid, old fellow, that taking folks seri- 
ously isn’t our long suit” 

Solomon looked distinctly bored; here was the 
eventful day, and though the morning was well 
along, there was still no sign of dinner — outside 
of the kitchen, that is; and Solomon had found, 
to his pained surprise, that the attitude of the 
kitchen was, on this morning of all mornings, 
decidedly discouraging to a small dog. 

** Dinner’s to be at three,” Blue Bonnet went on; 
“ you needn’t sit up any longer, sir.” 

Solomon availed himself of this permission 
gladly, pricking up his ears at the mention of din- 
ner; the subject began to get interesting. 

‘‘ But the relatives come on the noon train — 
208 


SENORITA 


209 


there are three of them, Solomon; Cousin Tracy 
Winthrop, Cousin Honoria Winthrop, and Cousin 
Augusta Winthrop ! It sounds a bit alarming, 
doesn’t it? And oh, Solomon!” Blue Bonnet 
scrambled to her feet. I haven’t done a thing 
to my room yet, and I’m to go to ride with Uncle 
Cliff directly.” 

Solomon tiptoed upstairs behind her, rejoicing in 
the fact that it was not a school day, and that 
there was a ride in prospect. 

‘‘ Excepting Saturdays and Sundays, this is the 
first holiday I’ve had since starting school,” Blue 
Bonnet told him. Oh me, did you ever see such 
a room I ” 

Sitting full in a spot of sunshine, Solomon lis- 
tened and watched operations, blinking at the 
rapidity with which his young mistress went from 
one thing to another. 

Miss Lucinda had not yet been able to make 
Blue Bonnet realize the advisability of putting 
things as much as possible in order over night. 
‘‘ I’d give a good bit to see Benita come walking 
in that door just about now!” Blue Bonnet de- 
clared, giving the bedspread a smoothing touch. 
“ But it won’t be Benita, it’ll be • Aunt Lucinda. 
And what do you think she’ll say at finding you 
in possession, young man?” 

Solomon’s manner implied that he willingly 
shifted all responsibility on to her shoulders. 


210 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ I wonder what Fd’ve been like now — sup- 
posing I had been sent East years ago — as Aunt 
Lucinda wanted ? Blue Bonnet said. 

Before her companion had time to consider this, 
Miss Lucinda appeared. 

Solomon ! ” Blue Bonnet commanded, “ your 
manners ! ” 

Solomon advanced, holding up a paw politely. 

Miss Lucinda took it, then she looked at Solo- 
mon’s mistress. I draw the line at my room, Blue 
Bonnet.” 

“ Thank you so much. Aunt Lucinda, for not 
drawing it — any closer. You hear that, Solo- 
mon ? ” 

“To hear is not always to obey, with Solomon,” 
Aunt Lucinda commented. “ Your uncle is waiting 
for you. Blue Bonnet.” 

“I won’t be a jiffy now!” Blue Bonnet went 
to the closet for her habit. “ Fortunately, Uncle 
Cliff never seems to mind my keeping him waiting; 
I reckon he’s used to it.” 

“ I should call that very unfortunate, my dear ; 
not to say, wanting in proper respect to Mr. Ashe.” 

Blue Bonnet looked amazed. “ I never thought 
of it in that way ! ” 

“ Uncle Cliff,” she asked, as they cantered 
briskly off down the drive, Solomon pelting along 
behind, “ do you mind my keeping you wait- 
ing?” 


SENORITA 


211 


Fve always supposed it was the way with 
women — young or old.” 

“Then you do mind! Why didn’t you say so? 
Have you thought it ‘ lacking in proper respect,’ 
too? ” 

“ Bless your heart, no, indeed ! Is that what 
you’ve been looking so sober over. Honey ? ” 

But Blue Bonnet continued to look sober. 
“ There’s such a lot to what Grandmother calls 
‘ one’s duty to one’s neighbor.’ Do you reckon 
I’ll ever be able to learn it all ? ” 

“ I don’t see how your mother’s daughter could 
very well help it. Honey.” 

Blue Bonnet stroked the mare’s neck thought- 
fully, looking out across the bare fields, a wistful 
look in her eyes — “I wonder why mothers and 
fathers have to — go away? One needs them so. 
I’m not forgetting,” she turned to Mr. Ashe, “ how 
I have you, and Grandmother, and Aunt Lucinda, 
only — ” 

“ I understand. Blue Bonnet.” 

Blue Bonnet was looking out over the fields 
again ; they looked gray and deserted, and the wind 
blowing across them was bleak and raw. Along 
the hills the clouds lay thick and lowering ; Denham 
prophesied snow before another twenty- four hours. 
The few sparrows hopping forlornly from fence to 
fence had their feathers all ruffled the wrong way. 

It was all very dreary, Blue Bonnet thought; 


212 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


and to-morrow Uncle Cliff would be off to New 
York without her, and in just a little while longer 
he would be going back to the ranch without 
her. 

Blue Bonnet gave herself an impatient shake; 
her immediate duty to her immediate neighbor 
hardly consisted in spoiling his ride for him. 

Don’t you want to give me a good old Texas 
run, Uncle Cliff?” 

“ And have folks think we’re being run away 
with. Honey?” 

‘‘ There isn’t anyone around — I reckon they’re 
all home either getting the turkey ready, or getting 
ready for the turkey. And if there was, it wouldn’t 
matter.” Blue Bonnet gave the mare the word ; the 
next instant she was off, laughing back at him over 
her shoulder. 

“ She’s almost as good as Firefly, isn’t she? ” she 
asked, as her uncle caught up with her. 

“ She’s a pretty decent little horse, all right.” 

‘‘ I wish she had a regular name. Darrel just 
calls her Pet, — and Lady.” 

“ Why don’t you name her ? ” 

“ I shall — now that Darrel’s going to let me 
have her right along. I’m glad you’ve seen to 
that.” 

Yes, I’ve seen to that. Don’t you want another 
scamper. Honey ? ” 

Blue Bonnet pointed with her whip at a square 


SENORITA 


213 


white stone by the side of the road. “ Do you see 
that? ” 

‘‘ The milestone? ” 

“ Do you see how many miles it says we are from 
Woodford? And I promised to be in by half-past 
one at the latest! Indeed I do want a run — but 
it’ll have to be in the direction of home. It must 
be original sin, and nothing less, that always sets 
me traveling whenever it’s most necessary I should 
be at home.” 

“ Don’t you worry, we’ll get there in time,” Mr. 
Ashe promised; and they did get back just as the 
tall clock in the hall was striking the half hour. 

From the sitting-room came the murmur of 
voices. “ The Boston relatives,” Blue Bonnet whis- 
pered, her finger on her lips, and beckoned Solomon 
back, as he was trotting on in, on hospitable 
thoughts intent. 

“We must make ourselves presentable first,” she 
told him. 

On her bed. Blue Bonnet found her white serge 
laid out ready; she hadn’t worn it yet. It was — 
next to the red she had given away — the prettiest 
of her new gowns. 

“You see, sir,” she confided to Solomon, “this 
is an Occasion — with a big O.” 

But standing before the glass to unbraid her hair, 
Blue Bonnet had what she considered a sudden 
inspiration. 


214 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


The next moment, she was kneeling on her closet 
floor, diving eagerly into the big box, where she 
kept certain of her most treasured possessions. 
‘‘ Solomon Clyde Ashe ! ” she cried, excitedly, “ I’ve 
such a surprise in store for them ! ” 

Fifteen minutes later when Delia knocked at her 
door. Blue Bonnet resolutely declined to open it. 
“ I’ll be down presently,” she said through the key- 
hole. 

But Miss Clyde told me, miss — ” 

I don’t need any help, thank you, Delia ! ” Blue 
Bonnet insisted. 

But your aunt said I was to — ” 

I’m getting on beautifully! Please go away, 
Delia. And — Delia, please don’t — say anything.” 

Delia hesitated; there was mystery and, it was 
to be feared, mischief in the very air. It’s past 
two now. Miss Blue Bonnet! And Miss Clyde 
said — she — she’ll be wanting you to look your 
best. I’m thinking.” 

“ I’ll look — you’ll see how I’ll look ! ” 

Which was cold comfort in Delia’s opinion. She 
retired, in much uneasiness of mind, to the kitchen, 
devoutly hoping Miss Lucinda would not invade 
those premises. 

’Deed and she do be big enough to dress her- 
self,” Katie comforted, not referring, however, to 
Miss Lucinda. 

** ’Tis up to something she is ! ” Delia declared. 


SENORITA 


215 


Katie gave the big turkey an affectionate glance 
before closing the oven door. “ Did you ever 
see such a beauty! And cooking like a Christian! 
Leave off worrying, Delia; ’tis no harm she’s up 
to!” 

The tall clock in the hall was striking half-past 
two when Blue Bonnet came downstairs. Grand- 
mother, wondering a little anxiously why she did 
not come, caught the soft swish of skirts. 

It seemed to Grandmother that she took an un- 
usually long time to cross the short space between 
the foot of the stairs and the sitting-room door; 
then all at once, she gave a little gasp of astonish- 
ment. 

Standing in the doorway, in quaint, old-fash- 
ioned, red satin gown, with high-heeled satin slip- 
pers, and stockings to match, a black lace mantilla 
thrown lightly over the hair, dressed high, with a 
great carved Spanish comb, a red rose showing 
coquettishly above the left ear, on her slender fin- 
gers two or three Mexican rings in old-time setting, 
and around her throat a string of heavy gold beads, 
Blue Bonnet bore as little resemblance to the white- 
clad figure Grandmother had been expecting to see 
as she did to the laughing, bare-headed girl 
who had come rushing up the drive little more 
than an hour before, her hair flying in the 
wind. 

For a moment no one in the room stirred or 


216 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


spoke, then Mr. Ashe cried delightedly, Why 
Honey!” 

The ‘‘ Boston relatives ” looked from Grand- 
mother to Aunt Lucinda, from Aunt Lucinda to 
the demure-faced figure in the doorway. They had 
been prepared for a mere schoolgirl — someone 
very like what her mother had been at her age. 
It was difficult to imagine Elizabeth Clyde in such 
a costume as that. 

Grandmother made the introductions. Aunt 
Lucinda was still asking herself why, oh, why she 
had not taken possession of that costume upon Blue 
Bonnet’s first showing it to her? 

Then the General and Alec came in, creating a 
diversion for which Blue Bonnet, who was feeling 
rather breathless, for all her brave showing, was 
truly grateful. 

My dear young lady,” General Trent turned to 
her, after paying his respects to the rest — or, 
I should say, Senoritaf — this is a surprise! ” 

“ To all of us, General,” Mrs. Clyde said. “ On 
the whole, I think I like it.” 

Blue Bonnet came to rest a hand on her grand- 
mother’s shoulder. “Truly, Grandmother?” she 
asked softly. “I — hoped you would.” 

“ Isn’t she stunning ! ” Alec exclaimed. 

When Delia came to announce dinner a few 
moments later, she broke off suddenly in the middle 


SENORITA 


217 


of her sentence — much to her own confusion — to 
stare open-eyed at Blue Bonnet. 

‘‘ If you could see her! ” she said to Katie, escap- 
ing as soon as might be to the kitchen. “ Sitting 
there like a picture — and that innocent! For all 
the world as if butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth! 
‘ And please don’t say anything,’ says she to me — 
and well she might ! I’d like to be knowing what 
her aunt do be thinking of such goings-on this 
minute.” 

“ I’m after thinking,” Katie remarked wisely, 
“ that the mistress herself do be enjoying the bit 
of a lark with the best of them. Sure and it isn’t 
the same house, since the darlin’ came.” 

Meanwhile, Blue Bonnet found herself placed 
between the eldest of those ‘‘ Boston relatives ” and 
Alec. She had never seen anyone before quite like 
this elderly gentleman, whom it seemed almost dis- 
respectful to call Cousin Tracy,” even though he 
had told her to. 

He should have looked old, but he didn’t; she 
supposed he was what Aunt Lucinda called “ well 
preserved ” ; and she wondered, a dancing light in 
her eyes, if perhaps he was not looking upon her 
as being something of a “ pickle.” 

Mayn’t I share the good thought, Senoritaf ” 
Mr. Winthrop asked. 

Blue Bonnet looked confused. This was what 


218 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


came of letting one’s thoughts run away with one 
before people. 

“ Do you know,” she said, hurriedly,” this is my 
first real New England Thanksgiving.” 

“ Was that the reason you appeared in Spanish 
costume ? ” 

“ You asked that just the way Aunt Lucinda asks 
things sometimes! It must be a Boston fashion.” 

Possibly. And how are you enjoying your 
‘New England Thanksgiving’?” 

Blue Bonnet looked thoughtfully up and down 
the long table, with Grandmother at the head and 
Aunt Lucinda at the foot. The shades had been 
drawn and the only light came from the wax 
candles in the tall silver candelabra on table and 
mantel. They cast a soft,, mellow light about the 
room and over the perfectly appointed table, in 
the centre of which stood the best Blue Canton 
bowl, filled with great, tawny chrysanthemums. 

“ I like it,” she said slowly, finding it hard to 
express her feeling ; “ it is so — homey and — 
familified. I like to think of how many Thanks- 
giving dinners must have been held in this very 
room — I don’t mean just the dinner part — any- 
one can have turkey and such things — but the way 
in which it has been done — like to-day. And it 
is nice to be part Clyde, isn’t it ? ” 

“ Very; though it is an honor I can lay no claim 
to.” 


SENORITA 


219 


Blue Bonnet laughed; she liked Cousin Tracy, 
he treated her as if she were quite grown-up. ‘‘ But 
the Winthrops are — ” she hesitated. 

“We think they — are. But we have been 
accused of being over proud — where family is con- 
cerned.” 

Blue Bonnet waited to exchange a smile with 
Uncle Cliff, seated opposite between Cousin Honoria 
and Cousin Augusta, and apparently getting on very 
well with them both. “ Grandmother was a Win- 
throp,” she said, then, — “ and it’s Aunt Lucinda’s 
middle name. Names count for a good deal back 
here, don’t they ? ” 

“ Or what they stand for.” 

“ Ashe stands for a good deal out in Texas.” 

“ See here ! ” Alec protested in an undertone, “ I 
didn’t think you were the sort to go back on an 
old friend.” 

“ I thought you were talking to Aunt Lucinda,” 
Blue Bonnet answered. 

“If not the rose — you know the rest! ” 

“ Did you tell Aunt Lucinda that ? ” 

“ I’d be so apt to.” 

“Alec, do you realize how long we have been 
sitting here? I’m getting dreadfully tired, aren’t 
you? I wish grandmother would announce fifteen 
minutes for recess, and insist — like the ‘ rankin’ 
officer ’ does — on our all getting out into the fresh 


220 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ For a game of tag? I can imagine your elderly 
relative seconding the motion ! ” 

‘‘ A little motion would do him and us all a lot 
of good. He’s really awfully nice, Alec; and he 
hasn’t once asked me how I like Woodford. I’m 
so tired of answering that question; I’ve even 
thought of getting my answer printed on little slips 
of paper and handing one to every new person I 
meet.” 

“Oh, but there’s time yet! The turkey is just 
going off, having gone off considerably — before 
going off. And experience teaches me that there 
is more to follow.” 

“ I begin to understand why Thanksgiving is 
kept only once a year.” 

“ Why, Senoritaf the General asked, overhear- 
ing the remark. 

“ It is so perfectly lovely to be called Senor- 
ita!'” Blue Bonnet assured him; “I haven’t been 
called that since Benita said good-bye to me, until 
to-day.” 

“ But you haven’t answered General Trent’s 
question, Blue Bonnet,” Miss Lucinda reminded 
her. 

“I — was trying not to. Aunt Lucinda ! ” Blue 
Bonnet answered. 

There was a laugh, then the General said, “ I 
withdraw it, Senorita/' and the talk drifted off to 
other things. 


SENORITA 


221 


“ Break number two/’ Blue Bonnet confided to 
Alec. 

“ People shouldn’t ask questions,” he comforted 
her, — “ unexpected questions like that.” 

“ N — no,” Blue Bonnet agreed. ‘‘ Sometimes I 
think it ought to be — ‘ elders should be seen and 
not heard.’ ” 

At last came desert, with the nuts and raisins; 
Mrs. Clyde, taking pity on Blue Bonnet, suggested 
that the young people take theirs off to the back 
parlor. 

‘‘ Isn’t Grandmother the dearest ! ” Blue Bonnet 
said, as she and Alec settled themselves in two big 
chairs before the fire. 

She’s all right! ” Alec answered. I’ve a piece 
of news for you, my lady.” 

Blue Bonnet caught the almonds he tossed her. 
‘‘ Good? ” 

I’ve a cousin coming to stay with us ; he’s been 
at school in New York and — ” 

‘‘I’m glad; he’s a he!” 

“ Could a 'he' be a she? ” 

“ Because — there are such a lot of ‘ she’s ’ in 
Woodford ! ” 

“ The female population of Massachusetts is — ” 

“ A good deal in evidence,” Blue Bonnet inter- 
polated. “ What’s your cousin’s name? ” 

“ Boyd Trent. His people are going abroad — 
he’s to stay here until summer.” 


222 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“And go to school with you?” 

“ Yes.” 

“How old is he?” 

“ Three or four months younger than ‘ yours 
truly.’ ” 

“ Then he’ll come between you and me.” 

“ I hope not.” 

“ As far as age goes — I don’t see how you can 
help it.” It seemed to Blue Bonnet, thinking it 
over afterwards, that Alec showed very little en- 
thusiasm over his cousin’s coming. At the time, 
however, she hardly noticed it. 

Going to the piano, she began playing snatches 
of old Spanish songs, in which one caught the 
tinkling of the guitar, — the gay sound of the cas- 
tanets. But presently, she slipped gradually off into 
softer, more plaintive music. Music, it seemed to 
Alec, that must have been written by some exile, 
longing for the home he had left. 

Blue Bonnet had quite forgotten him; when at 
last he spoke to her, and she turned to answer, it 
was to find her audience considerably enlarged. 

“ You are not going to stop, Senoritaf ” the 
General asked. He was not the only one to find 
both playing and player attractive. 

Mrs. Clyde’s eyes were turned upon the slender, 
brilliantly clad, little figure opposite with an expres- 
sion in them that made Miss Lucinda sigh softly 
to herself. 


SENORITA 


223 


Between them all, they kept her there playing 
for them until Cousin Honoria declared it was 
quite unfair — the poor child would be tired 
out. 

“ But when you come to stay with us in Boston,” 
Cousin Augusta added, ‘‘ we shall want you to play 
for us again. You will come for a week end some- 
time — even if we are all old people? We will try 
not to have it too dull for you. Tracy will show 
you his collections — he has several very fine col- 
lections.” 

“ I’d love to,” Blue Bonnet answered ; she came 
to sit between the two little gentlewomen on the 
old-fashioned high-backed davenport. They were 
not in the least formidable; she thought she should 
like them very much. 

Then she leaned forward with one of her eager 
movements ; the talk had suddenly turned on Texas ; 
Mr. Ashe was telling of ranch life out there. 

Closing her eyes. Blue Bonnet could almost fancy 
herself back in the big ranch house living-room. 
How the wind would be howling about the weather- 
stained house to-night. And how lonesome Uncle 
Joe Terry and Benita must be without Uncle Cliff 
and her. 

It occurred to Blue Bonnet that she had not 
given much thought to that side of the question. 
She would write a good long letter to them both 
to-morrow, telling them all about her day, and how 


224 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


she had worn her Spanish dress, and how everyone 
liked Uncle Cliff so much. 

It was later that Cousin Tracy asked — as the 
good nights were being said — “By the way, 
Senorita, you have not told me how you like our 
East?’^ 

“ Did you put him up to it ? ” Blue Bonnet de- 
manded, cornering Alec. 

“ Not I,’’ the boy laughed. 

“ At least he didn’t say ' Woodford.’ But why 
did he call it ‘ our East ’ ? ” 

“ Ask him,” Alec advised. 

“ Solomon,” Blue Bonnet remarked, when Alec 
and the General had gone, and she was paying her 
good night visit to the basket under the back 
stairs where Solomon slept, “ I hope you have 
enjoyed your Thanksgiving as much as I have 
mine.” 

Solomon, who had fared less wisely than too 
well, grunted sleepily; Solomon felt that the only 
fault to be found with Thanksgiving was that it 
did not come oftener. 

Cousin Honoria and Cousin Augusta had gone 
upstairs ; their brother was taking a short turn on 
the veranda with Mr. Ashe. Blue Bonnet went into 
the sitting-room, where Grandmother and Aunt 
Lucinda lingered, talking over the events of the 
day. 

“And how,” Grandmother asked, “have you 


SENORITA 


225 


enjoyed your ‘ first real New England Thanks- 
giving ’ ? ” 

“ Immensely ! ” Blue Bonnet answered. 

“ It is the first for me that has not been entirely 
‘ New England.’ ” Mrs. Clyde’s glance rested on 
Blue Bonnet’s dress. 

“ But you said you liked it ? ” 

Grandmother’s smile was reassuring. 

Blue Bonnet turned to her aunt. “And — ?” 
Aunt Lucinda had not expressed her opinion as yet ; 
Blue Bonnet hoped she had not been holding it in 
reserve. 

“ I think we have all had a very pleasant day — 
though it has held its surprises — for some of us,” 
Miss Lucinda said. 

“ I don’t know why I did it ! ” Blue Bonnet 
explained, “ I just took the notion, I suppose. I’m 
afraid Benita would think I had done my hair up 
very badly — she’s always done it for me before. 
And I should have worn the earrings — I have 
them, great gold ones, with pearl pendants — but 
I’ve never had my ears pierced; papa didn’t like 
it. Benita used to tie them for me, so one could 
hardly tell — but I hadn’t the patience — nor the 
time.” 

Miss Lucinda felt that the day had held its 
unknown blessings — they had been spared the 
earrings. “ I think the costume was quite complete 
enough without the earrings,” she said. 


226 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ I won’t wear any of it again, if you’d rather 
not,” Blue Bonnet offered, always ready to meet 
Aunt Lucinda halfway. 

“ Suppose we say, not without consulting your 
grandmother or me. And now, — suppose we say 
good night — Senorita/^ 

“ I believe in my heart,” Blue Bonnet told her 
reflection in the glass, ** that she really and truly 
liked it! I know the Boston relatives did. Poor 
dears ! ” 

And in her own room. Miss Lucinda was owning 
to herself that the day, for one reason or another, 
had been different from all the long line of Thanks- 
givings stretching out behind her. 

Mother,” she said, coming to the half-open 
door between their rooms, “ I’ve been thinking — 
how would it be to give Blue Bonnet a party — dur- 
ing Christmas week?” 

As a reward of merit?” Mrs. Clyde asked. 

“ Elizabeth used always to have her Christmas 
party,” Miss Lucinda answered. We have not 
entertained, in that way, since she went West.” 


CHAPTER XIII 


CHRISTMAS BOXES AND OTHER MATTERS 

The next morning Mr. Ashe left for New 
York. ‘‘ ril be back in time to get that box off,” 
he promised ; ‘‘ you have your part all ready, 
Honey.” 

Aunt Lucinda was going in town with the 
Boston relatives.” “ Everybody seems going 
somewhere, except you and me. Grandmother,” 
Blue Bonnet said, as she stood before the fire in 
the sitting-room on her return from the station. 
It was hard to settle down to the every day business 
of practising and so on. 

You will be riding this afternoon, dear,” Mrs. 
Clyde answered ; and then Aunt Lucinda came 
down, ready for her trip. 

She handed Blue Bonnet a little roll of crisp new 
bills. ‘‘ For your Christmas shopping,” she ex- 
plained. “ I am not so unreasonable, my dear, as 
to expect your present allowance to cover that.” 

Blue Bonnet’s face brightened ; “ I have been 
rather wondering — ” she admitted. ‘‘ This will 
do a lot, won’t it. Grandmother ? ” 

227 


228 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“Doesn’t that depend?” Mrs. Clyde asked, with 
a smile. 

“ And it won’t be a bit too soon to begin, will 
it?” 

“Too soon!” Miss Lucinda repeated. “My 
dear, I began last Spring ! ” 

“ I don’t think I should like that,” Blue Bonnet 
commented ; “ I think the hurry at the end is half 
the fun.” 

“ There is generally a fair amount of that in spite 
of all one’s planning,” Grandmother observed. 

The talk during the ride that afternoon was 
largely of the coming Christmas. It pleased Kitty, 
for the moment, to treat Blue Bonnet as a mere 
novice in the art of Christmas shopping. 

The latter’s reminder that even in Texas there 
were such things as stores was coolly ignored. 

“ You must make a list before leaving home,” 
Kitty insisted, “ putting down the names of all the 
persons you intend giving presents to, and opposite 
the name the gift you have decided upon.” 

“ After that — according to Kitty’s own meth- 
ods,” Debby interrupted, “ you must either leave 
the list at home, or lose it as quickly as possible.” 

“ And* even if you don’t do that,” Ruth said, 
“ just as likely as not you can’t find the thing 
you’ve decided on.” 

“ I’ll settle with you two later,” Kitty warned. 
“ Listen, Blue Bonnet. As soon as you’ve bought 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


229 


your present you must wrap it up in tissue paper 
and tie it prettily with ribbon and label it — ” 

“ Right there in the store ! ” Blue Bonnet pro- 
tested. How inconvenient, Kitty ! 

To avoid confusion at the last,” Kitty finished, 
calmly. 

‘‘ You wait till you’ve seen Kitty’s room day 
before Christmas ! ” Debby remarked. 

I’m making most of my presents,” Sarah said. 

‘‘ I haven’t made up my mind,” Kitty flicked 
Black Pete lightly, “ whether yours is an example 
to be followed, or shunned, Sarah. I’d hate to feel 
lonesome — the way you must.” 

Sarah shifted herself in the saddle; she still 
found riding more of a duty than a pleasure — 
which Kitty declared was her principal reason for 
keeping on with it. “ Lonesome ! ” she repeated, 
wonderingly, ‘‘what do you mean?” 

“ You remember what the poet says — ” Kitty’s 
gray eyes were most demure — “ ‘ Be good and 
you’ll be lonesome ’ ? ” 

“ Then you’ve never been lonesome, Kitty 
Clark ! ” Susy remarked. 

Sarah was looking puzzled ; she took her English 
literature very seriously. “ I don’t remember any 
poet saying — ” 

“ Never you mind, Sarah mia/^ Blue Bonnet 
laughed ; she checked the mare’s pace, making 
her — much against her will — keep step with 


230 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Sarah’s horse. “ Tell me what you’re making for 
Christmas? I wish I could make something, too — 
but my stupid fingers are all thumbs, when it comes 
to sewing.” 

Sarah responded cordially. It would be nice for 
you to make something to send back in your box, 
Blue Bonnet; they’d like it, I’m sure.” 

“ Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet said, that evening, 
“ can you crochet ? ” 

I used to.” 

Shoulder shawls ? ” 

Those among other things.” 

“ Please — will you show me how ? I want to 
make one for Benita. She’d love it.” 

‘‘ Have you ever crocheted. Blue Bonnet? ” 

“ Never — Benita tried to teach me to knit once, 
but it wasn’t a success.” 

‘‘ Then wouldn’t it be wiser to begin with some- 
thing simpler? ” 

‘‘ But there won’t be time for two things — and 
I know Benita would like the shawl. I’ll get the 
wools to-morrow.” 

There is some worsted and a needle in the 
lower drawer of my work table. If you like, you 
shall have your first lesson now, dear.” 

Coming down stairs again, Blue Bonnet met 
Delia in the hall. “ A letter for you, miss ; one 
of the parsonage children just brought it up; it’d 
been sent there.” 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


231 


Blue Bonnet read the address, wonderingly — 

“ ‘ Blue Bonnet,^ 

‘‘ Care of the Rev. Sam. Blake, 

Woodford, Mass.” 

‘‘ Grandmother ! ” she exclaimed, “ it must be 
from my ‘ missionary-box ’ girl! ” 

She opened the letter, with its Texas post-mark. 
‘'Shall I read it aloud. Grandmother?” 

“ I should like to hear it, dear.” 

“ I don’t know if Blue Bonnet is really your 
name,” the letter began, “ but somehow, I can’t 
help hoping that it is. My name is Caroline Jud- 
son — but I am always called Carita ; and I am 
writing to thank you for the lovely dress you sent 
me. Nothing like it ever came in any of our other 
boxes, and at first mother thought it must be a 
mistake, until we found your note and the purse 
in the pocket. And if you knew how I thank you 
for that, too! 

“Now I can go Christmas shopping. I’m going 
to buy each of the boys a knife of his own — then 
they can all whittle at once. I wonder if you have 
any brothers ? I have four — all younger than I 
am — but no sisters. 

“ I wonder a lot about you ; I think, perhaps, 
you’ve gone East to school — that’s where father 
wants to send me — but that you love it out here 
in Texas best. I wish you would write to me — I 
never get any letters — and tell me how old you 


232 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


are, and what WcMDdford is like. Father says he 
is sure it has a public library — I wish we had one 
out here. Don’t you love to read, better than any- 
thing ? I was fourteen last August and all the dress 
needed was to have a tuck taken in it, and that will 
make it all the longer getting too short for me. 
That’s a pretty mixed-up sentence, isn’t it? But 
you will know what I mean. 

Mother thinks I’d better stop writing now — 
as it is a first letter. It is so good to be writing 
to someone. 

“ Please believe me, very truly and gratefully, 

“ Yours, 

“ Carita Adeline Judson.” 

“ Grandmother ! ” Blue Bonnet folded up the 
letter, “ Mayn’t I send Carita Adeline Judson a 
Christmas box ? ” 

“If not a box — a Christmas remembrance, at 
least,” Grandmother answered. 

“Please, a whole box! If you knew how jolly 
it was unpacking the ones you and Aunt Lucinda 
always sent! One can put all sorts of little things 
in a box — I’ll put in something for each of the 
boys — ” 

And during the lesson in crocheting which fol- 
lowed, Blue Bonnet planned enough boxes to have 
called for. Grandmother said, a whole car of their 


own. 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


233 


She did not take readily to the lesson itself; 
but that was because she was thinking about some- 
thing else, she explained. 

“ A good many ‘ else’s,’ I am afraid,” Grand- 
mother answered. “ Better unravel that and start 
afresh.” 

‘‘ It’s easier just to break it off,” Blue Bonnet 
suited the action to the word. “ I wonder who 
invented crocheting ! I think they might have found 
something better to do ! ” 

You are not discouraged already, Blue Bon- 
net!” 

Not ‘ discouraged,’ Grandmother, but sort of — 
disgusted. I hope Benita properly appreciates her 
shawl. I wonder whether she would rather have a 
purple and crimson, or red and yellow? It’ll have 
to be bright-colored, in any case.” 

Mrs. Clyde glanced at the pink worsted chain 
Blue Bonnet was making; at present, it resembled 
a corkscrew more closely than anything else. 
“ Isn’t it a bit soon to decide upon the color ? ” 

“ I always want to get things settled as soon as 
possible; besides, I shall feel as if it were really 
started, once I have bought the wools,” Blue Bonnet 
urged. 

As soon as the regulation Saturday duties were 
through with the next morning, she was off to buy 
her wools. They occupied the place of honor on the 
clubroom table that afternoon. 


234 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


The snow predicted by Denham, though a trifle 
behind schedule time, had arrived in good earnest; 
there could be no riding that afternoon. 

And a very good thing, too ! ” Ruth remarked. 

Now we shall have to work.” And presently, 
forming a circle about the pile of purple and crimson 
wools, were six work-bags of various sizes and 
hues. 

There were other things on the table; Blue Bon- 
net’s pies, still intact, Mr. Ashe having deeded his 
share in them to the club ; a dish of nuts and raisins 
and one of fruit. 

You must have ‘ spent the hull ten-cent piece,’ 
Blue Bonnet ! ” Kitty said. 

We’re going to have a beautiful time this after- 
noon,” Blue Bonnet assured them. “ Isn’t it the 
nicest storm?” 

It beat against the windows in sudden fitful 
gusts, the air was full of the white, whirling flakes, 
and down in the garden were great, drifting heaps. 

Susy looked at the white world without and then 
about the large, square room. ‘‘ I always did want 
to belong to a club — and have a real clubroom,” 
she said contentedly. 

It had been a nursery in former years, as the 
window bars and the bright colored prints on the 
walls still testified. Now the center table, the wide 
lounge, generously supplied with the biggest and 
softest of cushions, the quaint medley of chairs, 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


235 


big and little, the low hassocks at either end of the 
broad hearth, made it, in the eyes of club members, 
an ideal gathering-place. There was nothing break- 
able — in the ordinary sense — and there were no 
curtains at the four windows, — just shades that 
could be raised quite out of sight when necessary; 
and on club days, a bright fire burned in the deep 
fireplace, behind the tall wire screen. 

“ So youVe got your work. Blue Bonnet ! ” Sarah 
said, taking up a skein of the purple wool. Have 
you learnt the stitch?’' 

I’m — learning it. Please — before you all 
begin, listen to this — ” and she read them the letter 
received the night before. 

“ So that is what it was,” Sarah said. ‘‘ How 
oddly she addressed it ! ” 

** Do you suppose she would like to have the rest 
of us write to her?” Ruth asked. 

“ I’m sure of it ! ” Blue Bonnet cried, delight- 
edly. “ I mean to answer this right away — and 
I’m going to send her a Christmas box.” 

Oh,” Susy dropped the square of linen she was 
hemstitching, ‘‘let’s make it a ‘We are Seven’ 
box.” 

“ And all write a letter to put in it,” Amanda 
added. 

“ I do think you are the dearest girls ! ” Blue 
Bonnet exclaimed enthusiastically. 

“ Let’s plan now,” Ruth proposed. 


236 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘Not until Blue Bonnet gets at her work!” 
Sarah advised. 

“ Sarah’s working you a motto, Blue Bonnet, — ” 
Kitty said, “ ‘ How doth the little busy ’ — and so 
forth, and so forth.” 

“Kitty!” Sarah protested, “You know I am 
doing nothing of the kind.” 

“ Well, you can — now Fve put the idea into 
your head.” 

“ The way I learned it was like this — ” Blue 
Bonnet produced her ball of pink worsted and 
crochet needle rather reluctantly — 

" ‘ How doth the’ busy little bee, 

Delight to bark and bite; 

And gather honey all the day, 

To eat it up at night.’” 

Sarah looked pained, but Kitty dropped her lace 
work to run around and hug Blue Bonnet. “ That’s 
the best version I’ve heard yet.” 

“ I don’t approve of parodies,” Sarah remarked. 
“ Are you going to make a pink shawl. Blue Bon- 
net ? ” 

“ Grandmother thought I had better practice my 
stitch a little before starting regularly to work,” 
Blue Bonnet answered. 

Kitty’s brows arched expressively. “ And 
‘ Grandmother ' was quite right, my child ! How 
did you get it shirred like that ; is it a new stitch ? ” 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


237 


“ Why shouldn’t I shirr it, if I like it that way? ” 
Blue Bonnet laid her work on the table, patting 
and pulling at it with impatient fingers. 

“ But you shouldn’t hold your finger out like 
that! ” Sarah corrected presently. “ You’ll get the 
habit.” 

No, I won’t I ” Blue Bonnet declared ; she looked 
from one busy worker to another. How nimble 
every pair of hands in the room, except hers, 
seemed. 

“I — I hate crocheting ! ” she announced pres- 
ently. It makes me feel cross and as if I should 
go to pieces.” 

“ I like it,” Sarah looked down at the bed-shoe 
she was making. Only I don’t get much time 
for it.” 

Five minutes longer Blue Bonnet worked, then, 
she pushed back her chair. “Fifteen minutes — 
and as many more as you like — for refreshments. 
Sarah, will you please cut the pies ? ” 

And after refreshments, with the dusk coming 
on, and Blue Bonnet firmly refusing to have the 
lights lit, there was nothing for it but to gather 
about the fire and talk. 

“ Now this is what I call a sensible way of spend- 
ing one’s time ! ” Blue Bonnet threw on another 
log. “ Let’s talk Christmas — remember, if you 
please, that this is the first time I’ve had a lot of 
girls to talk it with.” 


238 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


She went with them to the door, when at last she 
could neither coax nor cajole them into remaining 
any longer, and from there on down to the gate — 
first catching up Aunt Lucinda’s garden cape from 
its nail. 

All but Kitty were going home to what Blue 
Bonnet mentally designated ‘‘ families,” and Kitty 
lived next door to Amanda and was almost as much 
at home in the Parker house as in her own. 

It seemed to Blue Bonnet, as she stood there in 
the fast-falling snow, watchmg the six walk briskly 
off down the darkening street, Kitty and Debby 
stopping now and again to exchange snowballs with 
a passing friend, that of all seasons of the year, 
Christmas was the very nicest in which to be part 
of a large family. 

She was turning to go in when she caught the 
sound of Alec’s whistle, and waited to speak to 
him. Do come in,” she urged, “ I feel — just 
like Mrs. Gummidge. I want someone to talk to 
who is — young, and can’t do things with his 
hands.” 

“ Thanks — awfully,” Alec said. 

Not tiresome crocheting sort of things — 
nor hemstitching — nor knitting double stitch — 
nor — ” 

“ You needn’t go on enumerating! I plead guilty 
to each separate charge. You come over instead — 
Grandfather ’ll be no end delighted.” 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


239 


‘‘ ril interview Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet 
started for the house. Halfway up the path, she 
turned and came back. “ I can’t ! I haven’t done 
my lessons for Monday. I kept thinking there was 
so much time — and I did mean to do some extra 
studying, too.” 

Can’t you — ” Alec began. 

Blue Bonnet put her fingers over her ears. “ Run 
away! or I’ll come — and I mustn’t, truly.” 

When Blue Bonnet came back to the sitting-room 
that evening, school-books strapped ready for carry- 
ing Monday morning, she found Miss Lucinda 
sorting embroidery silks at the table. 

“ Are you ' going to embroider something, Aunt 
Lucinda ? ” she asked. “ Aren’t they pretty 1 Did 
you get them in Boston yesterday?” 

Which question shall I answer first ? ” Miss 
Lucinda asked, with the smile it was Blue Bonnet’s 
secret wonder she did not use oftener — it was 
so very becoming. ‘‘ Some of them I had, some I 
got new. I am sending a little bundle of silks and 
one or two stamped patterns to each of the older 
girls in a home for cripples, in which I am inter- 
ested.” 

“ You mean for Christmas? ” 

Yes.” 

Blue Bonnet was immensely interested, offering 
to help sort and asking any number of questions 
about the girls. ‘‘ Couldn’t I go with you some 


240 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


time, Aunt Lucinda?” she asked. “ IVe never 
been to a place of that kind — and mayn’t I send 
them something, too ? ” 

‘‘ I should be very glad to have you. Blue Bon- 
net.” 

‘‘ What lots of things there are to do — in the 
world; and such a little time for the Christmas 
things,” Blue Bonnet said, thoughtfully. 

‘‘ There is always a year between one Christmas 
and the next,” her aunt answered. 

“ But not between now and this coming Christ- 
mas. And those hateful exams sticking themselves 
in between. It ought to be against the law — hav- 
ing examinations at holiday time.” Blue Bonnet 
rumpled up her hair impatiently. 

Her grandmother looked amused. ‘‘ The school 
laws, as revised by Miss Elizabeth Blue Bonnet 
Ashe, should prove interesting reading.” 

'' But if I don’t pass — it’ll just spoil being a 
‘ We are Seven ’ ! ” Blue Bonnet insisted. 

‘‘ Then — screw not only your courage but your 
attention to the sticking point, and you’ll not fail,” 
Miss Lucinda counselled. 

‘‘ I don’t see how Sarah gets time for every- 
thing the way she does,” Blue Bonnet sighed. 

She never seems to hurry.” 

“ It is generally the busiest people who have most 
time,” Grandmother said, forestalling Miss Lucinda. 

“ Alec says there have to be some idlers in the 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


241 


world to keep things balanced. Alec does say such 
comforting things.” 

“ More comforting than bracing, I am afraid,” 
Miss Lucinda commented ; “ but in his case, there 
is some excuse, as he is really not strong.” 

Blue Bonnet decided to go to bed. “ We were 
getting on thin ice,” she confided to Solomon, who 
insisted on going upstairs for a final chat. And 
it seemed a pity — after we’d been getting on so 
comfortably. Solomon, I’ve such an inspiration — 
got straight from Aunt Lucinda — I’ll send Benita 
the wool in the Christmas box — and let her make 
her own shawl ! ” 

And when Kitty asked on Monday morning how 
the shawl was progressing. Blue Bonnet told her 
what she had told Solomon. 

‘‘So thoughtful of you, my dear!” Kitty ob- 
served. “ But don’t forget to put in the sample 
too — as proof of how it ought not to be done.” 

And for the rest of that recess there was a cool- 
ness between them. 

For some reason — unexplained even to herself. 
Blue Bonnet had put off telling her grandmother 
of her change of plan. Perhaps Grandmother 
would speak of the shawl first. Grandmother did, 
that same evening. 

“I — I’ve given up making it,” Blue Bonnet ex- 
plained. “I — I don’t believe crocheting is my 
vocation.” 


242 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ And have you discovered just what your voca- 
tion is ? ” her aunt asked^ 

Blue Bonnet shook her head. ‘‘ Unless, not hav- 
ing one.” 

“ It is something to have found out what it is 
not,” Grandmother said. “ I have known people 
who had not attained even to that point.” 

Blue Bonnet pinched one of Solomon’s long ears ; 
they were behaving beautifully — Grandmother and 
Aunt Lucinda. 

And then Grandmother said, slowly, ‘‘ All the 
same. Blue Bonnet — though I agree with you that 
there would hardly be time, under present circum- 
stances, for you to get the shawl done, I do not 
at all approve of your taking things up and then 
dropping them as suddenly.” 

Blue Bonnet looked into the fire; she had been 
afraid Grandmother would take it like that. Then 
she looked up, with eyes full of sudden mischief. 

Grandmother, dear, I give you my word of honor, 
that the next time I start in to make anyone a 
crocheted shawl I’ll finish it ! ” 

And even Aunt Lucinda was obliged to smile. 

Never days went by more quickly than those 
short December ones. And never, in Blue Bonnet’s 
experience, had days been half so full of business. 

Two or three times a week came messages from 
Uncle Cliff, generally accompanied by packages for 
the box, or rather boxes. For Mr. Ashe had been 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


243 


promptly told of that second Christmas box, also 
destined for Texas, and had as promptly expressed 
his unqualified approval. 

The two stood side by side on the table in the 
clubroom, and in one a big bundle of bright purple 
and crimson wools held no inconspicuous place. 

There were shopping trips in town with Grand- 
mother and Aunt Lucinda, and one made by the 
club in a body. Blue Bonnet declared she would 
never forget that shopping trip; Sarah inwardly 
registered the same vow, though from different 
reasons. 

There were innumerable impromptu meetings of 
the club at the house of one or another. 

There were the daily walks, which, now that the 
riding was over. Grandmother firmly insisted on. 

And in between times were snatches of extra 
studying, hasty reviews. 

‘‘ And you’ve gone through with it all every year 
for ages and ages ! ” Blue Bonnet said one morning, 
looking from Sarah to Kitty in positive admira- 
tion. 

‘‘ Why don’t you put it centuries ? ” Kitty asked. 

‘‘ Of course we have,” Sarah said, calmly. She 
expected to pass; she always had, though never 
brilliantly ; and when she went to bed on Christmas 
Eve, though it might be late, it would be with the 
comfortable feeling that she had accomplished all 
she had set out to do. 


244 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


'‘Alec’s cousin came last night!” Blue Bonnet 
announced with one of her sudden changes of sub- 
ject. 

" What’s he like ? ” Kitty asked. 

" He isn’t like Alec. I daresay he’s — New 
Yorky. I don’t like him as well as I do Alec.” 

“How can you tell so soon?” Sarah objected. 

Blue Bonnet shrugged. “ Oh, because — and 
anyhow, even if I did, I wouldn’t.” 

“Would you mind saying that over again?” 
Sarah looked bewildered. 

“News!” Debby joined them. “The pond’s 
frozen over! You skate. Blue Bonnet? ” 

“ Alec’s going to teach me. I’ve got news, too — 
Grandmother’s going to give me a Christmas 
party ! ” 

There was a little chorus of excited approval. 

“ Well, Honey ! ” It seemed to Uncle Cliff as 
if he had been gone three months rather than nearly 
three weeks. “Box all ready?” 

“ Except a few last things, which we’re going to 
get together.” Blue Bonnet nestled closely to him, 
under the big buffalo robe. “ Maybe I haven’t 
done some tall rustling lately! I haven’t a reputa- 
tion ’round these parts for getting there before the 
train starts, but I’ve done it this time! And just 
wait till you see what I’ve got for Uncle Joe! 
Aunt Lucinda suggested it — when it comes to 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


245 


Christmasing, Aunt Lucinda’s a jim-dandy. And 
if Carita Adeline Judson doesn’t open her eyes! ” 

‘‘ Call a halt, Honey ! ” Mr. Ashe implored, 
laughingly. “ Looks like you were trying to keep 
time with those sleigh-bells I ” 

He was waiting for her when school closed the 
next afternoon, and together they caught the three- 
twenty for town. The boxes must go the next day 
without fail. They shopped until dinner time — 
Uncle Cliff’s vigorous methods making even Blue 
Bonnet feel rather dizzy — then dined in delightful 
holiday fashion at one of the big, gaily-lighted 
restaurants ; where, what with the crowds, the 
music, and the excitement of it all. Blue Bonnet 
found it hard to eat anything. 

Then back on the eight o’clock for the final 
fillings-in, at which not only the club en masse, but 
Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda were present. 

At last the finishing spray of holly was laid on 
the top of each generously-stored box, the covers 
were nailed on by Mr. Ashe, the addresses 
marked. 

Blue Bonnet drew a long breath — “ We did get 
them done — in time ! ” She waltzed Debby up 
and down the room with its litter of paper and 
string, its ends of Christmas ribbons and soft-tinted 
cotton. “ But this ‘ we ’ wouldn’t ’ve, if it hadn’t Ve 
been for you all.” 

“ To-morrow they’ll be on their way, Solomon ! ” 


246 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


she assured him later; and later still, lying awake 
in her room, with the fire throwing flickering 
shadows over walls and ceiling. Blue Bonnet tried 
to picture to herself the unpacking of those boxes, 
in lonely ranch house, and, perhaps, almost as lonely 
parsonage. 

Uncle Joe Terry’s delight when her laughing face 
looked up at him from its silver frame; and 
Carita’s joy on opening a certain envelope, in which 
was a printed certificate telling how for twelve 
long, happy months, that most welcome of all visi- 
tor, dear old Saint Nicholas, was to make his ap- 
pearance at the Judson home. 

“ Aunt Lucinda suggested that, too,” Blue Bon- 
net said to herself, sleepily. Christmas was the 
dearest time in all the year, — she had always 
known that, — but this year she was finding out its 
wonderful possibilities more clearly every day. 

Two or three days later those dreadful examina- 
tions began, and like a good many other things 
in this world, proved upon closer acquaintance not 
half so dreadful as they had seemed, viewed at long 
distance. 

“ I’m getting all the questions that I know,” 
Blue Bonnet rejoiced more than once; but for all 
her rejoicing, she walked softly those days. 

‘‘ They’re over at last ! ” she told her uncle, com- 
ing home one afternoon. 

And now what next. Honey ? ” 


CHRISTMAS BOXES 


247 


“ Sentence — and we won’t know until the last 
day of school ! ” 

But when that all-important Friday arrived, Blue 
Bonnet came home jubilant. 

“I’ve passed ! ” she announced to Solomon watch- 
ing for her at the gate. Uncle Cliff was the next 
to hear the news ; he was on the veranda — walking 
up and down and thinking the afternoon unusually 
long. Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda heard it 
next; then Blue Bonnet carried the glad tidings 
out to the kitchen. 

“ And now,” she came back to the veranda, 
“ now I’m ready for a good time. And Monday ’ll 
be Christmas ! And to-morrow — which ’ll be like 
Christmas Eve — we’re going into town! I say. 
Uncle Cliff, what larks ! ” 


CHAPTER XIV 


CHRISTMAS 

Aunt Lucinda was playing Christmas carols ; it 
seemed to Blue Bonnet, listening in her big chair 
by one of the long windows, that the air had been 
full of carols all day. At church in the morning, 
at Sunday school in the afternoon; and later, as 
she and Grandmother made their rounds in the big, 
old-fashioned sleigh, carrying Christmas cheer to 
more than one home, the very bells had seemed to 
be singing a carol of their own. 

The little bank had been emptied of its contents 
the morning before, considerably more coming out 
than Blue Bonnet herself had put in, though she 
had been faithful in those weekly contributions; 
and she and Uncle Cliff had spent a delightful hour 
in a little toyshop, rather off the main stream of 
traffic — chosen because it was little and looked 
sort of lonely and forlorn, whose proprietor had 
been most sincere in his urgent request that they 
should call again. 

That long day in Boston, — with the blessed 
knowledge at the back of one’s mind that one had 

passed,” and that school was done with for ten 
whole days; with the wind nipping one’s finger- 
248 


CHRISTMAS 


249 


tips and reddening one’s cheeks; with the stores 
reminding one of the fairy-land, and the streets 
almost as gay and wonderful as the stores; with 
Uncle Cliff declaring that Christmas only came once 
a year, and that this was the first time they had 
ever had a chance to go shopping together prop- 
erly, — had been a day not soon to be forgotten. 

And then the making up of the baskets in the 
evening ! Grandmother insisted that one sleigh 
would never carry them all. 

“ Every part of Christmas seems the nicest,” 
Blue Bonnet had sighed, happily, filling a bag with 
nuts and raisins for the small Pattersons, and 
almost envying Luella Patterson the brown-eyed, 
brown-haired doll lying smiling up at her from its 
box. 

Nor had this “ between-time ” Sunday lacked its 
own particular charm. It gives one a little chance 
to get one’s breath,” Blue Bonnet confided to Solo- 
mon, curled up in the chair beside her, ‘‘ Though 
it hasn’t been what one would call precisely an idle 
day! But I’ve got everything ready — think of 
that, Solomon! All the home things packed away 
in the closet, and after supper. Uncle Cliff and I 
are going to take Alec’s and the ‘ We are Seven ’ 
theirs. Think what a lot of presents I’ve had to 
wrap up and write on ! ” 

Solomon wriggled appreciatively ; there was 
something for him, — he had been told so. 


250 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


While out in the hall stood a big, travel-stained 
box, object of Solomon’s liveliest curiosity. It had 
arrived the day before from Texas. 

“ Don’t you want to come sing this, Blue Bon- 
net ? ” Aunt Lucinda asked ; and as Blue Bonnet 
came to the piano, she struck the opening chords 
of Mrs. Clyde’s favorite carol: “O Little Town 
of Bethlehem.” 

Blue Bonnet sang it all, looking out to where 
above the familiar street the silent stars went by, 
and trying to picture to herself the little hillside 
town of Bethlehem, resting in its quiet sleep. 

“‘O holy Child of Bethlehem! 

Descend to us, we pray; 

Cast out our sin, and enter in, 

Be born in us to-day. 

We hear the Christmas angels 
The great, glad tidings tell 
Oh, come to us, abide with us; 

Our Lord Emmanuel ! ’ ” 

The girl’s clear voice sounded softly through the 
quiet parlor, with its trimmings of evergreen and 
holly, carrying two of her listeners back to more 
than one Christmas Eve in the past. 

All in all, Christmas Eve was almost as nice as 
Christmas itself. Blue Bonnet decided that night, 
sitting on the hearth-rug before the fire in her 
own room. Then her face grew suddenly wistful. 
It was not so many years ago that her mother had 


CHRISTMAS 


251 


sat on this same hearth-rug, thinking of the joys 
to come on the morrow, while the clock on the 
mantel ticked away the moments bringing the great 
day of days nearer and nearer. 

Solomon was the first to give her Christmas 
greeting the next morning, choosing Christmas for 
his first venture above stairs before breakfast ; 
aided and abetted therein by Delia. Sure, and the 
child should have somebody to talk to on Christmas 
morning — and Solomon was wiser than a deal of 
humans. 

He received warm welcome; Blue Bonnet was 
sitting up in bed, a little square, pasteboard box in 
her hand. “ I found it under my pillow,’’ she told 
the ever-curious Solomon. Now how did Grand- 
mother smuggle it in without my knowing it?” 

She slipped the slender gold band with its one 
deep, dark blue stone on her finger. ‘‘ Isn’t it 
pretty, Solomon?” 

And it was with the brightest of Christmas faces 
that Blue Bonnet came down to breakfast half an 
hour later. No one was in the dining-room, but 
the table stood ready, a true Christmas table, with 
its shining silver and bowl of crimson roses; its pile 
of presents at each place; overflowing, in Blue 
Bonnet’s case, from table to floor. 

‘‘ Please ! ” — Blue Bonnet went to the door — 
Won’t everybody hurry! I don’t think I can 
wait much longer ! ” 


252 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“So hungry as all that, Honey?'’ her uncle 
laughed, coming in from his morning constitutional 
on the veranda. “ Merry Christmas ! ” 

“ You were in very good time this morning, my 
dear ! ” Miss Lucinda laughed, when the various 
Christmas greetings had been exchanged and they 
all sat down to breakfast. 

“ Wasn’t I ? ” Blue Bonnet’s fingers were busy 
with ribbon and paper. There were furs from 
Uncle Cliff, books, ribbons, and neckwear from 
Grandmother, skates and the prettiest fur skating- 
cap from Aunt Lucinda, books from the “ Boston 
relatives,” remembrances from Alec and each of the 
girls, from Katie and Delia, a new collar for Solo- 
mon from Denham. There were any number of 
odd little trifles such as girls love, which Mr. Ashe 
had picked up for her in New York; there was a 
box of chocolates big enough to promise the entire 
club much enjoyment; and under her napkin — 
when at least she had calmed down enough to re- 
member to unfold it, was a slip of paper which 
told that “ Darrel’s mare ” was Darrel’s no longer 
but belonged to the owner of the Blue Bonnet 
Ranch. 

By that time. Blue Bonnet had quite given up 
trying to put her delight and gratitude into words, 
but her shining eyes said it very plainly to the three 
watching her. 

“ How did everybody know exactly what I 


CHRISTMAS 


253 


wanted, when I hadn’t begun to think of half so 
many lovely things myself ? ” she said. 

As for Blue Bonnet, she and Uncle Cliff had 
put their heads together to very good purpose. 
Grandmother, whose pet hobby was fine china, 
openly rejoiced over the delicate beauty of the 
tea-set filling the box at her place; while Aunt 
Lucinda — who was a true music lover — bent 
delightedly over the lives of her favorite musicians, 
in their soft, rich bindings. 

For Uncle Cliff, Blue Bonnet had gone to Grand- 
mother for advice; and the girl’s laughing, happy 
face looking out at him from the purple velvet 
miniature case -pleased him as nothing else could 
have done. 

** It won’t be quite like going back without you 
now. Honey,” he told her. 

After breakfast, came the unpacking of the Texas 
box; a box with something in it for everyone; 
bright-colored Mexican scrapes, some of Benita’s 
fine drawn work — at sight of which Grandmother 
and Aunt Lucinda exclaimed delightedly ; there 
were jars of highly spiced Mexican conserves, which 
Blue Bonnet rejoiced over; a tin box of Lisa’s best 
pinochie; and down at the bottom were eight won- 
derfully fringed and trimmed Mexican saddle 
blankets — one for each of the We are Sevens ” 
and Alec, and there was even a cleverly-wrought 
leather leash for Solomon. 


254 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Isn’t it the nicest Christmas ! ” Blue Bonnet 
cried, her lap full of treasures. “ There’s Alec ! 
I’ll give him his blanket right away! I reckon he’s 
come to take me skating — I sha’n’t have to borrow 
skates now.” 

“ But dear,” Mrs. Clyde laid a detaining hand on 
her arm, “ there will not be time for skating before 
church.” 

“ Are we going to church — on Christmas ? ” 
Blue Bonnet looked rather blank. 

‘‘Isn’t that the time of all others to go, dear; 
to return thanks for the greatest Gift of all — on 
His own day? ” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes deepened. “ I’ll be ready on 
time,” she promised, and ran to welcome Alec. 

“ Oh, I say ! ” he cried, as she gave him his saddle 
blanket, “ how uncommonly jolly in them to re- 
member me! And I’ve come to say thank you for 
something else, too.” 

“Alec, are you going to church?” Blue Bonnet 
asked, as they went out to the dining-room to 
examine the skates and other presents. 

He nodded. “ But we can go skating after din- 
ner — the pond’s in fine condition. Boyd’s coming 
too — between us we’ll get you taught in no time.” 

It was a typical New England winter’s day, all 
white and blue; even in the sun, it was necessary 
to move pretty briskly if one wanted to keep warm. 

The broad village street was alive with people; 



“ ‘ isn’t it the nicest Christmas! ’ blue bonnet 

CRIED, HER LAP FULL OF TREASURES.” 



CHRISTMAS 


255 


the bells were ringing for the Christmas service; 
on every side one had cheery Christmas greetings. 
Blue Bonnet, a knot of holly pinned to her dark 
furs, looked up at her uncle with eager face. 
‘‘ Isn’t it all like being part of a Christmas card 
scene — the crystallized kind ? ” 

So it is,” he agreed. 

After Texas, I believe I love Massachusetts,” 
Blue Bonnet decided. ‘‘ There go Ruth and Susy — 
it must be nice having a sister almost one’s own 
age on Christmas. Oh, me, I can’t help hoping Mr. 
Blake won’t preach very Jong.” 

But Mr. Blake was under the spell of the day, 
quite like other people. It was hardly a sermon 
at all he gave them, just a simple Christmas talk 
starting with the message of peace and good-will 
brought down by the angels at that first far-off 
Christmas-tide. 

Blue Bonnet listening to it, her eyes turning, as 
they always did in church, to the memorial window 
beyond, with the winter sunshine shining through 
its rich coloring, wondered if her mother and father 
knew how very happy she was to-day? Knew, too, 
of the new thoughts and resolves stirring within 
her. Every Christmas all her life should find 
someone the richer, happier, for her being here in 
this world — that, at least, she was determined on ; 
not just the home people and friends. 

And after church, surrounded by the other six 


256 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


club members, each insisting that she come with 
them and see their things, Blue Bonnet could hardly 
keep from dancing from very happiness. 

They compromised at last; the seven would ad- 
journ to the parsonage, that being the nearest 
point ; after dinner they would all meet at the pond, 
and from the pond they would go to Blue Bonnet’s. 

Think of it ! ” Blue Bonnet exclaimed. “ The 
mare’s my very own ! I’m going to name her Chula ! 
I thought of it in — church ! ” 

‘‘ What else have you been thinking about — in 
church?” Kitty demanded. 

Oh, any amount of things — Christmas things ! 
Wasn’t it dear of Uncle Cliff? ” 

‘‘ You shouldn’t have him all the time for an 
uncle,” Debby protested. ‘‘ It isn’t a fair division.” 

The sitting-room at the parsonage told plainly 
what day of the year it was. Five small Blakes, 
ranging from twelve to three, swooped joyously 
down upon the newcomers. 

What did you get?” resounded on every 
side, broken by excited exclamations of admiration 
and sympathy. 

“ I am glad Aunt Lucinda thought of my 
skates!” Blue Bonnet rejoiced. “We’ll go every 
afternoon, won’t we? — while the ice holds.” 

“ I’ll have to go now — not skating,” Debby 
said, and at that the party broke up. 

There was to be only a home dinner that day, 


CHRISTMAS 


257 


at the usual time, in order to give Delia and Katie 
their Christmas holiday; so Blue Bonnet was wait- 
ing when the boys came for her. 

Boyd Trent, though several months younger than 
his cousin, was taller and stronger looking in every 
way than Alec. Blue Bonnet wondered, as the 
three went down the path and out at the back gate, 
why she felt so sure that she should never really 
like him. 

He certainly gave her no cause for complaint that 
afternoon; between him and Alec, she got on very 
well. 

‘‘ You’ll get there,” Boyd assured her. “ Let go, 
Alec — she mustn’t have too much help.” 

Like it? ” Kitty asked, coming up. 

I love it ! ” Blue Bonnet declared. 

How many tumbles so far ? ” 

‘‘Did you think we would let her fall?” Boyd 
asked. 

“ She doesn’t always wait to be let — before do- 
ing things,” Kitty answered, “ particularly, in 
school.” 

“ But you see we prevented any desire,” Alec 
explained. 

“ Let’s see you try it alone ? ” Kitty urged, and 
Blue Bonnet took a few not too unsteady steps. 

The wide pond was crowded with skaters; they 
made a pretty sight, darting about, the girls in their 
bright coats and caps, the boys in bright sweaters. 


258 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Not until the west was all aglow and the wind 
sweeping down from the hills too keen and nipping, 
did the “We are Seven’s ” and their especial friends 
turn their faces homewards. 

At the Clyde gate the club members turned in, 
slipping in at the side door and straight on up to 
Blue Bonnet’s room. She had spread most of her 
gifts out on her bed, trying to realize them that 
way. 

“ But I can’t — yet,” she said now. “ I wonder 
if anyone ever felt as rich as I do.” 

“ Not everyone has such cause,” Debby an- 
swered. All of the others had fared well; but, as 
Kitty put it, it almost seemed as if Blue Bonnet had 
fared too well for her own good. “ You haven’t 
anything left to want for,” she insisted. 

“ I don’t want Uncle Cliff to go West.” 

“ Nor do we,” Ruth laughed. 

“ Let’s talk about the party,” Amanda suggested; 
for Blue Bonnet’s party was to be on Thursday 
night. “ Who’s coming. Blue Bonnet ? ” 

“ You all: — ” 

“ I should rather think so,” Kitty remarked. 

“ And Alec and his cousin, and a lot of the other 
boys and girls. Some of them I don’t know very 
well.” 

“It’ll be a real big party, won’t it?” Susy re- 
joiced. “ Mother says that when she was a 
girl she liked the parties here better than any she 


CHRISTMAS 


259 


went to. She has one of her old party dresses 
still.’’ 

“ I wonder,” Amanda said, as the six were on 
their way home, “ what Blue Bonnet’s going to 
wear Thursday night ? ” 

“ It won’t be anything fussy,” Debby remarked. 
“ Miss Clyde doesn’t approve of fussy things for 
girls.” 

“ She is quite right,” Sarah said; “young people 
shouldn’t — ” 

“ Couldn’t you let it go at that, please ! ” Kitty 
interposed. 

“ Kitty ! Besides, you don’t know what I was 
going to say ! ” 

“ Oh, yes, we do, Sallykins ! ” It was the final 
straw, and Kitty knew it, calling Sarah Sallykins. 

“If I were Blue Bonnet,” Debby interposed, 
“ I’d have all the pretty clothes I wanted.” 

“ I daresay she has,” Ruth laughed ; “ she has 
all she needs, at any rate — and they’re always 
pretty.” 

“ Then, Debby,” Amanda objected, “ you 
wouldn’t be Blue Bonnet ! One of the nicest things 
about Blue Bonnet Ashe is the way she never seems 
to realize how much she could have, nor to want 
it.” 

Debby still looked unconvinced; but then Debby 
was the youngest of several sisters, and her mother 
had a talent for “ making over.” 


260 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Please, Grandmother ! ” Blue Bonnet came to 
a standstill in the center of her grandmother’s 
room, “ Aunt Lucinda said for me to come show 
myself. Do I look — partified?” 

Mrs. Clyde turned from her dressing-table to 
glance with pleased eyes at the speaker. Blue Bon- 
net was all in white from head to foot, save for 
the spray of crimson holly berries in her brown 
hair. You look,” Grandmother said slowly, 
very happy ; and you are dressed as I like to see 
a school girl dressed — simply and becomingly.” 

Blue Bonnet swung her fan by its slender chain, 
— they had been Alec’s Christmas present ; Aunt 
Lucinda wasn’t taking any chances to-night; she 
didn’t send Delia.” 

Grandmother smiled. This party is in honor of 
‘ Miss Elizabeth Blue Bonnet Ashe,’ not Sen- 
orita/ ” 

‘‘ And I’m on time ! Grandmother, you look 
lovely!” Blue Bonnet’s eyes sparkled. ‘‘Just as I 
like to see — a grandmother dressed.” 

“ And now, having exchanged compliments, shall 
we go down? ” Mrs Clyde asked. 

In the hall below, they found Mr. Ashe wait- 
ing. 

“Well! well!” he said, as Blue Bonnet swept 
him a courtesy, “ I wish Uncle Joe and the folks 
back there could see you. Honey ! ” 

“ Come and have a turn before anyone gets 


CHRISTMAS 


261 


here ! ” Blue Bonnet begged, as from the back par- 
lor came the strains of old Uncle Tim’s ” fiddle. 
“ Uncle Tim ” and his grandson Young Tim ” 
were Woodford’s standbys in affairs of this sort. 
No one could play dance music like old black Tim, 
though his grandson bade fair to follow in his steps. 
The old man’s kindly wrinkled face beamed now 
at sight of Blue Bonnet — “ Want ter dance a bit 
’fore de folkses gits yere? All right — yo’ shore 
looks like yo’ all ready for de dancin’.” 

The two long parlors thrown into one and cleared 
for dancing made an admirable ballroom; at one 
end, potted palms fenced off the corner reserved 
for the elders. 

Isn’t it all too delightful ! ” Blue Bonnet said, 
as she and her uncle waltzed gaily down the length. 

Please, Uncle Cliff,” she gave him her pro- 
gramme, put your name down for just as many 
as you want — before anyone else gets here.” 

I’m not out looking for trouble. Honey! ” Mr. 
Ashe laughed. ‘‘ You play with the young folks 
to-night — why, that was one of the things you 
came East for ! ” 

** I came East because — you know now why 
I wanted to come, — and what made me so horrid 
all that time.” 

If you’re going to call my ward names. I’ll 
quit dancing with you,” Mr. Ashe insisted. 

‘‘ There’s Kitty I ” Blue Bonnet exclaimed. 


262 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Kitty had come luggage laden; she was to stay 
over night, Mrs. Clyde having declared that one 
of the pleasantest things about a party was the 
talking it over in bed afterwards. 

How nice you look ! ” Blue Bonnet said 
warmly : “ Come on upstairs — and, oh, Kitty ! 

You must see my flowers! Ever and ever so many 
sent me flowers ! ” 

“ Naturally,” Kitty observed ; didn’t you ex- 
pect they would ? Whose are those ? ” she touched 
the white carnations in Blue Bonnet’s girdle. 

“ Uncle Cliff’s, I couldn’t wear them all — and 
I thought he’d like it if I chose his — he’s going 
away so soon now, too.” 

Kitty gave her hair a few touches here and there. 
“ I’m ready now ! ” 

There was nothing formal about Blue Bonnet’s 
manner of receiving her guests; she was glad to 
see them, and she said so. Her own enjoyment 
was evident; loving dancing herself, she was quite 
sure everyone else must be equally fond of it, and 
she was determined that there should be no wall- 
flowers at her party. Uncle Cliff was an invaluable 
ally, dancing with whomever she bade him. 

This is better than tea-parties ? ” Alec asked, 
when his turn with her came. 

'' Yes, indeed.” 

So I think ; I wasn’t at that tea-party, you 
may remember? ” 


CHRISTMAS 


263 


“ I remember you very nearly prevented my be- 
ing at it.” 

“ Is that the reason you’re turning me down 
now? ” 

“ Fm not. The next three are duty dances — 
with boys I don’t know very well.” 

Thanks — for not including this among 
them.” 

Blue Bonnet turned to her next partner, a tall 
boy — one of the coming graduates ; she hoped he 
wasn’t as serious as he looked. 

It was a pretty sight ; the long rooms, still wear- 
ing their Christmas trimmings of evergreen and 
holly, filled with light-hearted, bright- faced young 
people, keeping time to the strains of the waltz 
“ Uncle Tim ” was playing. To the elders, looking 
on from their sheltered corner, it was like a return 
to old times. 

“ Isn’t it lovely ? ” Amanda said, as she and 
Debby met for a moment between dances. 
Amanda felt that Susy’s mother was right — she 
had never been to a nicer dance. 

“ There’s Blue Bonnet with Alec’s cousin. Do 
you like him?” Debby asked. 

Amanda hesitated. He’s — very polite.” 

“Sarah’s looking real pretty, isn’t she?” Debby 
said; it was Debby’s private opinion that all the 
club members had done themselves proud this eve- 
ning. She gave her soft pink skirts a smoothing 


264 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


touch; pink was Debby’s color, and this was a 
perfectly new dress. 

“ She certainly is,” Amanda agreed ; ‘‘ and she 
looks as though she were having a good time, too. 
Mostly, one can never be quite sure whether Sarah 
Blake is really having a good time, or just being 
polite.” 

Then Blue Bonnet bore down upon them. 
“What are you two doing off here? You are 
neither ‘ elders ’ nor chaperons ! ” 

“ Comparing notes,” Debby answered. 

“ Oh, we’re having the best time ever ! ” Amanda 
cried enthusiastically. Blue Bonnet Ashe wasn’t 
the sort of girl who never cared whether anyone 
else had a good time or not, so long as she had 
one herself; Amanda knew girls like that. 

“ Aunt Lucinda says we’re to form for the sup- 
per march soon,” Blue Bonnet said ; “ I’ve never 
been to this kind of a party before — but then I 
reckon I’ve never been to a really truly party before 
• — but I’m trying my hardest to be a credit to the 
family. Please say I’ve succeeded so far ! ” she 
begged, laughingly. 

“ You have — so far as I’ve seen,” Debby 
teased. 

“ Oh, there’s the General ! ” Blue Bonnet ex- 
claimed. “ He promised to look in during the eve- 
ning. I wish I might go out to supper with him, 
or Alec, or Uncle Cliff — someone I really know 


CHRISTMAS 


265 


— instead of that big boy from the first grade. 
Imagine ! He started talking ' Sargent/ before 
we’d been dancing five seconds ! ” 

“ I think, Blue Bonnet,” Sarah said, coming up, 
“ that Miss Clyde is looking for you.” 

“ So do I.” Blue Bonnet gave Sarah’s knot of 
blue ribbons a little pat. ''Are you having a good 
time, Sarah miaf ” 

“ Very! So good that I am almost afraid it will 
be rather difficult to go back to one’s regular way 
of living to-morrow.” 

“ Then don’t think of it now I ” Blue Bonnet 
advised. 

The line was forming for the march out to sup- 
per ; once in the dining-room, it broke up into little 
groups, four to a table. 

And then, from every side came eager exclama- 
tions of surprise and pleasure; for in the center 
of each table was a little candle-lighted Christmas 
tree, from the base of which ran four crimson rib- 
bons, to which were attached the place cards, with 
their borders of Christmas elves bearing dainty 
sprays of holly and mistletoe; while among the 
decorations on the trees were tiny favors, both 
pretty and amusing. 

It was all as much a surprise to Blue Bonnet as 
to her guests; she had known that Miss Lucinda 
was giving considerable thought to the details of 
her party, but she had never dreamed of anything 


266 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


like this. Blue Bonnet told herself, that she never, 
never would be vexed or impatient with Aunt Lu- 
cinda again — let her seem ever so exacting. 

If it would only go on and on indefinitely! 
‘‘ Why must all the nicest things come to an end 
so soon ? ” Blue Bonnet asked her partner abruptly. 

He looked down at her in surprise — for not 
the first time that evening. “ Doesn’t everything 
come to an end sooner or later ? ” 

“That’s just what I’m complaining of! There 
ought to be more than sixty minutes to an hour — 
at times like these.” 

“ But, Miss Blue Bonnet, think what confu- 
sion — ” 

“ You know — ” Blue Bonnet’s eyes were most 
demure, “ we really manage little things like that 
much better out in Texas.” 

“ And I verily believe he thought I was in ear- 
nest,” she confided to Ruth later. “ Now why 
didn’t Aunt Lucinda send him out with Sarah?” 

“ Perhaps she has an eye for contrasts,” Ruth 
suggested. “ Well, I suppose it’s all over — I’m 
mighty sorry! ” 

“ So am I,” Blue Bonnet said. 

And after she had said good-night to the last de- 
parting guest, and had seen Kitty on her way up- 
stairs, promising to come too, directly. Blue Bon- 
net came back to where her aunt and grandmother 
were talking together. “ You’ve given the nicest, 


CHRISTMAS 


267 


prettiest party that ever could be ! ” she said grate- 
fully, slipping a hand into both Grandmother’s and 
Aunt Lucinda’s ; “ and I just can’t thank you 
enough — but I’ll never, never forget it.” 

I think we may call it a perfect success from 
start to finish,” Miss Lucinda said. 


CHAPTER XV 


A DARE 

Monday morning, Mr. Ashe left for the West; 
and the next day, the new term began. 

It’ll seem odd, not going to Miss Rankin’s 
room,” Blue Bonnet said, overtaking Debby on the 
way to school. I wonder if she’ll miss us.” 

“ Some of us,” Debby suggested. 

'' Alec says. Miss Fellows is ever so jolly.” 

She hasn’t been at it so long,” Debby com- 
mented. Are you taking French, Blue Bonnet? ” 

Blue Bonnet nodded. It has to be that, or Ger- 
man, hasn’t it? Aunt Lucinda thought I’d better 
choose French this year. I’ve studied it some; one 
of the tutors instituted an hour’s conversation every 
day, just after dinner; there used to be — inter- 
ruptions.” 

Blue Bonnet came home that afternoon most 
enthusiastic; Miss Fellows was all she ought to be, 
she shouldn’t have a bit of trouble with her. 

'' And does the lady in question feel confident 
regarding you?” Mrs. Clyde asked. 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “ She hasn’t said — yet. 
It’s ever so big a class, Grandmother; there were 
a lot of left-overs. French is three times a week 


268 


A DARE 


269 


— Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — Made- 
moiselle looks awfully nice! Sarah and Amanda 
are taking German — isn’t it just like Sarah to 
choose the hardest? All the rest of us club mem- 
bers are taking French — Kitty says she wants to 
learn how to take ‘ French leave ’ and, oh, me, I 
promised not to be five minutes — they’re all wait- 
ing down at the back gate for me.” 

Blue Bonnet dropped her strap of books, ran f ot- 
her skates, paid a visit to the cookie jar in the pan- 
try, patted Solomon, and with a “ Good-bye, Grand- 
mother,” was off, leaving Mrs. Clyde feeling as if 
a small whirlwind had swept through the quiet 
house. 

What with school, her afternoons on the pond, 
her evenings of study, broken by occasional neigh- 
borhood gatherings. Blue Bonnet found the time 
slipping by very fast. While she missed her uncle 
greatly, she was learning more and more how much 
can be done by letter-writing, and those were far 
from doleful letters that traveled every week from 
Woodford to the far-away Texas ranch. 

The weather held wonderfully; never had the 
pond been in better condition than during those 
January days. 

But the thaw’s bound to come before long,” 
Debby predicted one afternoon. 

The snow’s coming first ! ” Susy pointed to the 


270 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


clouds banking themselves up above the low line 
of hills — ‘‘ Coming before to-morrow morning, 
too” 

“ Let’s not go in just yet ! ” Blue Bonnet pleaded, 
as Susy bent to unfasten her straps. 

“But it’s time!” 

“ You’re such a prompt-to-the-minute girl, Susy 
Doyle! ” Blue Bonnet objected. “ I’m not ready to 
go — are you, Kitty?” 

“ You never are ready,” Debby protested. They 
four were the only club members out that after- 
noon; as Debby insisted later, if only Sarah had 
been there it would never have happened. 

“ I’d like to start right off now and skate and 
skate without stopping, until I got to the end 
of the pond ! ” Blue Bonnet declared. 

“ But no one ever does skate up at the upper 
end of the pond,” Susy explained ; “ the ice is 
always rough up there ; besides, it isn’t safe in ever 
so many spots.” 

“ Anyhow, I’d like to try it.” Blue Bonnet was 
in the mood for adventure; wasn’t it Friday after- 
noon? “ I mean to ask Alec to go with me.” 

“He’s playing hockey!” Kitty said, looking at 
a group of boys down beyond. “ He wouldn’t take 
you if he wasn’t — nor let you go,” she added 
mischievously. 

“ I don’t see how he could very well help that,” 
Blue Bonnet retorted. “ I believe I’ll try it alone.” 


A DARE 


271 


“ Blue Bonnet ! ” Susy gasped. 

“ Fd like awfully well to see you! ” Kitty teased, 
in what Amanda called her aggravating tone.” 

Is that a dare ? ” Blue Bonnet demanded. 

‘‘If you like to call it one.” 

Blue Bonnet bent to tighten her skates. 

“ Blue Bonnet Ashe 1 ” Debby exclaimed. “ Are 
you clean daft! Start up there at this time of the 
evening — when you ought to be going home ? ” 

“ You don’t know how far it is,” Susy urged. 

“No — but Fm going to find out,” Blue Bonnet 
said. 

“ Don’t worry, Susy,” Kitty remarked ; “ she 
won’t go very far.” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes flashed. “ I’ll go as far as 
you will, Kitty Clark ! ” 

“ ‘ Is that a dare? ’ ” Kitty quoted; she, too, bent 
to tighten her skates. “ Come on ! ” she said ; and 
before Debby or Susy realized it the two were off. 

“Of all the — ” Debby took a few steps, then 
came back to where Susy still stood, her skates in 
her hand. “ Kitty, or Blue Bonnet, alone, one 
might manage to do something with — but together ! 
Come on, Susy — it’s no use our standing here in 
the cold; perhaps they’ll turn around presently. 
Kitty knows she’s no right letting Blue Bonnet go 
up there after dark.” 

“ Shall we go tell some of the boys ? ” Susy 
. asked. 


272 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


But the boys were far down at the other end 
by now, fighting an exciting game to a finish. The 
pond had been thinning rapidly the last half hour, 
for, with the coming of night, a cold wind had 
sprung up. 

Debby shivered. “ It wouldn’t be much use ; by 
the time we got them those two foolish girls would 
be out of call. It’s all that Kitty’s fault! She 
just dared Blue Bonnet on.” 

At first, Blue Bonnet thoroughly enjoyed that 
swift rush along through the gathering dusk; they 
had the wind at their back, and ahead of them the 
pond to themselves. Then the two hours or more 
already spent in skating that afternoon began to 
tell on her, and with the sense of fast-growing 
fatigue came equally rapid misgivings. She glanced 
sideways at her companion; why wouldn’t Kitty 
speak! If only she would admit the foolishness of 
the undertaking. Blue Bonnet would give in too, 
but until Kitty gave in — she would not. 

Kitty was thinking the same; she knew, as Blue 
Bonnet did not, not only the foolishness, but the 
risk of what they had undertaken. What had 
possessed her to start such a ball rolling? Once 
started, it went without saying that she could not 
be the first to throw up the game. Blue Bonnet 
was getting tired already, one could see that, though 
she was trying not to show it ; and then — 

But Kitty reckoned without knowledge. 


A DARE 


273 


The pond was growing narrower now, with sharp 
twists and turns that made Blue Bonnet think of 
the brook she and Alec had followed that August 
afternoon. The thought of the brook reminded her 
of Aunt Lucinda. 

For just a moment, Blue Bonnet wavered; Aunt 
Lucinda had gone into town and would not be back 
until the nine o’clock train — Grandmother was 
alone, and would be worried. 

Kitty saw the sudden slackening on Blue Bonnet’s 
part, and took comfort from it. “ Ready to go 
back? ” she asked, more than a hint of “ I told you 
how it would be ” in her voice. 

Blue Bonnet wavered no longer; it was impos- 
sible to give in to Kitty — of all people ; Kitty had 
started it, and it was her place to make the first 
move towards turning back. 

“ I am ready whenever you are,” she answered ; 

you have only to say the word.” 

“ I thought you wanted to go to the very end ? ” 

Blue Bonnet made no answer. Kitty was the — 
Sarah would never be so horrid ; and then the mere 
thought of Sarah in connection with such a foolish 
performance as this, made Blue Bonnet laugh. 

So the two pushed doggedly on through the fast- 
deepening dusk, stumbling more than once against 
snags; tired, cold, hungry, and miserable, and with 
the discouraging knowledge that every moment was 
taking them further from home. 


274 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


It seemed to Blue Bonnet as if the pond had no 
end, but was like some dreary, enchanted lake in 
the fairy stories ; that she and Kitty, like the brook, 
must go on and on forever. It did not seem pos- 
sible that it could be the same pond she and the 
others had skated on so gaily that afternoon — if 
it really was that afternoon. 

It was quite dark by now. Far away, across the 
fields, a solitary light showed in some lonely farm- 
house window, and now and then they caught the 
sound of a dog barking. 

It wouldn’t have been so unbearable. Blue Bonnet 
thought, if only Kitty would speak. 

And then Kitty did speak — “ We shall have to 
keep close to the bank from now on — the ice isn’t 
safe further out — that is, unless you want to go 
back? ” No one should say that she had not given 
Blue Bonnet every opportunity to behave like a rea- 
sonable being. 

Do youf Blue Bonnet asked. 

In her heart, Kitty knew herself more than ready, 
but the little demon that had seemed hovering near 
her all the afternoon, prompted her to say, ‘‘ We 
haven’t got to the end yet. I thought — ” 

On they went again, both too tired to skate at 
all fast. Kitty told herself that she would never 
dare anyone like Blue Bonnet Ashe again; it had 
proved a veritable boomerang of a dare. Blue Bon- 
net felt that once she had got her skates off, she 


A DARE 


275 


should never want to see them again. While the 
realization that ahead of them both waited a prob- 
able very bad quarter of an hour, did not serve to 
make things any brighter. 

And then a little group of bare trees loomed tall 
and shadowy almost in front of them, and, a 
moment later, the end of the pond was reached. 

“ I know now,” Blue Bonnet dropped wearily 
down on the snowy bank, “ how Miss Rankin’s 
beloved Pilgrim Fathers felt when they landed on 
Plymouth Rock ! ” 

“You mustn’t do that!” Kitty commanded. 
“ Get up this moment.” 

“ I simply can’t — just yet. Only I don’t sup- 
pose our motive and theirs for setting out were 
precisely similar, do you, Kitty?” 

“ Pm not supposing anything about it I Will you 
get up? Or do you want to catch the worst cold 
you’ve ever had — and have everyone saying it was 
my fault ? ” 

“ I don’t see how they could say that,” Blue 
Bonnet got up reluctantly. “ I suppose our next 
move — is to go back.” 

“We can’t go back on the ice — it’s too dark and 
the wind would be dead against us all the way.” 

Blue Bonnet began working at her skates. “ Fm 
mighty glad of that ! ” 

“ Going ’cross lots through the snow won’t be 
exactly what you might call fun,” Kitty remarked. 


276 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Come on — I don’t know what time we’ll get 
home, as it is.” 

‘‘ Let’s not have ‘ Quaker meeting ’ going home, 
Kitty,” Blue Bonnet begged. 

“ It won’t be ‘ Quaker meeting ’ — once we do 
get home. I’m thinking,” Kitty answered; “and I 
just know mamma will be worried to death.” 

“ Kitty, why did we do it? ” Blue Bonnet asked. 

“ Maybe we’d better not go into that at present,” 
Kitty suggested. “ There — it’s beginning to 
snow ! ” 

It certainly was, in a thorough-going, determined 
fashion that promised to last through the night, at 
the least. 

Walking ’cross lots after dark through ankle- 
deep snow, with the storm beating in one’s face, 
was not a particularly pleasant way of passing the 
time. Blue Bonnet decided. “ Kitty Clark ! ” she 
burst out. “ If ever you dare dare me again! ” 

Kitty laughed. “You didn’t have to take it!” 

“ You knew I would ! ” 

Kitty pulled off her mittens, blowing on her 
numbed fingers. “ Well, I got paid in kind, didn’t 
I? Blue Bonnet, you mustn’t! ” For Blue Bonnet 
had slipped her muff off, throwing the chain over 
Kitty’s head. 

“Turn and turn about!” she insisted. 

“ Are you — too utterly fagged out ? ” Kitty 


A DARE 


277 


asked presently, real concern in her voice, as Blue 
Bonnet stumbled, just saving herself from falling. 

I’m — a bit tired,” Blue Bonnet confessed. I 
suppose it’s because I’ni not so used to this sort of 
thing!” She wondered if Kitty really did know 
her way through the dark and storm; to all out- 
ward seeming, they were struggling aimlessly on 
across fields that had apparently no boundaries. 
They had left the friendly little light behind long 
since; it seemed as if she and Kitty were quite 
alone in a world of wind and snow. 

All at once, she came to an abrupt stop. ‘‘ Kitty, 
I’ve got to rest ! ” She dropped down on the snow 
in a forlorn little heap. 

Kitty longed to follow suit; instead, she gave 
Blue Bonnet a little shake. “ Blue Bonnet, get up 
immediately! We’re nearly to the road now; it 
won’t be half as hard walking then.” 

‘‘ I don’t think I care very much whether we are 
near the road or not,” Blue Bonnet said wearily; 
“ all I want is to sit still for a while.” 

Blue Bonnet, please ! Haven’t you and I both 
had enough of doing what we want for one day? ” 

“ I’ve had more than enough,” Blue Bonnet con- 
ceded readily, but she did not get up. 

Kitty gave her a second shake, and a harder 
one. ‘‘ Blue Bonnet ! I got you into this, and I’ve 
got to get you out of it! Get up this moment! 


278 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Think how worried they must be at home about 
us! ” 

“ Grandmother will be worried,” Blue Bonnet 
agreed. “ Aunt Lucinda isn’t at home ; but I don’t 
seem to mind about that, either, now — I’m so 
tired.” 

“ Then I’ll sit down too ! ” Kitty dropped down 
beside Blue Bonnet. “ I might as well sit as stand.” 

Blue Bonnet roused herself impatiently. “ What 
a provoking girl you are) Come on, then! Only 
you might let me rest.” 

Kitty drew a deep sigh of thankfulness when, a 
few yards further on, they stumbled against the last 
fence, over which the snow was drifting fast. “ It 
won’t be nearly so hard now,” she repeated, as they 
managed to scramble over it into the road. 

A moment or so later, Kitty cried eagerly — 
‘‘ Blue Bonnet, listen ! ” 

From down the road came the jingling of bells, 
coming nearer every moment; then a voice called. 
Halloa ! Halloa, there ! Anyone about ? ” 

“ It’s Jim Parker! ” Kitty cried joyously. “ Here 
we are ! ” she called back. 

‘'Well of all the tom-fool scrapes!” Jim drew 
his horse up with a jerk. “ What do you mean by 
this, Kitty Clark! Setting the whole place by the 
ears!” 

“It was just as much my fault!” Blue Bonnet 
protested, 


A DARE 


279 


‘‘ Well, we won’t stand here scrapping about 
that! ” Jim bundled the two into the bottom of the 
box sleigh most unceremoniously, piling buffalo 
robes thick about them. ‘‘ There’s blame enough 
to go shares on and have some left over.” 

‘‘ Please don’t scold ! ” Kitty pleaded. “ We’re 
dreadfully sorry, and if you knew how tired and 
hungry we were ! ” 

Jim took up the reins — “And so you ought to 
be ! ” He was a big, hearty fellow of twenty, who 
had been pulling Kitty out of scrapes ever since she 
had been big enough to get into them, — and Kitty 
had begun early. 

“ How did you know where we were, — did 
Debby tell ? ” Kitty asked. Blue Bonnet cared 
neither to ask, nor answer questions. 

“ Why,” Jim explained, “ when you didn’t come 
home your mother sent over to our place, thinking 
you must be there. Amanda hadn’t seen you since 
school; then Mrs. Clyde sent her Delia down to 
your place, in search of Blue Bonnet. Debby ’d 
gone out to supper with Susy, and by the time we’d 
got ’round to the Doyles and found out where you 
had started for, it was getting pretty late, and some 
of the seniors were more or less anxious. Your 
father hadn’t got in yet. Some of the boys started 
up the pond with lanterns, and I came this way, 
thinking it barely possible you might have developed 
enough sense not to try to come back on the ice.” 


280 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“Is everyone dreadfully worried?” Kitty asked. 

“ Worried enough ! That end of the pond isn’t 
the safest place, particularly after dark.” 

Kitty subsided. When Jim, who was her staunch 
ally, used that tone towards her, matters must be 
pretty serious. 

Never had the lights of the village, blinking at 
them through the snow, seemed more friendly or 
more welcome to the two nestled under the buffalo 
robes in the bottom of the Parker box sleigh. 

Jim was blowing the horn he had brought, three 
good blasts. 

“ That means we’re found ! ” Kitty’s voice was 
trembling; some realization of what those blasts 
meant to those here at home had come to her. 

Blue Bonnet roused herself. “ Kitty, didn’t it 
almost seem — out there — in the snow — ” 

“ Don’t ! ” Kitty dropped her face on Blue Bon- 
net’s shoulder. 

It was not at all the sort of welcome they should 
have received. Dr. Clark declared afterwards; but 
then, as Kitty pointed out, he was the first to reach 
the sleigh — having heard the news on his way 
home — taking her into his own cutter, and on 
home to an exceedingly anxious mother, while Jim 
turned into the Clyde drive. 

There Solomon met them, scrambling into the 
sleigh, and diving in among the robes, licking his 
mistress’ face, her ears — only stopping, momen- 


A DARE 


281 


tarily, to bark in most ungrateful manner at Jim 
in his great fur coat. 

“ Here we are! All safe and sound! ” Jim said, 
cheerily, as Mrs. Clyde came forward from the 
open doorway, just within which, Delia and Katie 
hovered excitedly. It was Delia’s and Katie’s firm 
conviction that “ that Kitty ” was to blame for the 
whole affair, it being just like her.” 

The next thing Blue Bonnet knew, Jim was carry- 
ing her indoors, robes and all, depositing her in 
the big armchair Grandmother drew forward. 
“ There ! ” he said. “ You’re home now and it’s 
up to someone to keep you here for one while ! ” 

Blue Bonnet tried to say thank you, but made 
rather a failure of it; it was all she could do just 
then to fight back a sudden desire to cry. It was 
so good to be at home again — Where it was warm 
and light and there were people about. 

Grandmother seemed to understand, for she 
asked no questions; and before many minutes Blue 
Bonnet found herself in bed, with hot water bottles 
everywhere. 

And then, quite unexpectedly, the doctor ap- 
peared; explaining that he thought he would look 
in and see how this second member of the explor- 
ing party was getting on. 

I’m all right ! ” Blue Bonnet told him, as he 
took her hand in his. “ Please, Dr. Clark, it was 
my fault — not Kitty’s ! ” 


282 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Time enough to-morrow to discuss that side of 
the question,” the doctor said. ‘‘ What you’ve got 
to do now is to get in all the sleep you can.” 

Blue Bonnet looked up at him with troubled 
eyes. “ But every time I shut my eyes, I keep see- 
ing — ” she broke, abruptly. 

“ We’ll soon remedy that ! ” the doctor answered, 
taking out his medicine case. 

“ You are all so good to me! ” Blue Bonnet told 
Grandmother, when the doctor had gone. ‘‘ And 
you shouldn’t be, because — ” 

“We won’t go into that ‘ because ’ to-night, 
dear,” Mrs. Clyde bent to kiss the flushed 
face. “ You must go to sleep now, as the doctor 
said.” 

It was still snowing when Blue Bonnet woke the 
next morning. Down below, the hall clock was 
striking nine. It was a good thing that it was Sat- 
urday, Blue Bonnet thought ; she felt stiff and tired. 
She wondered if Aunt Lucinda had been kept in 
town by the storm. Aunt Lucinda would have the 
right to be vexed with her this time; Blue Bonnet 
moved restlessly — she didn’t want to think about 
last night. Why, someone must have slept over 
there on her lounge I Surely, Grandmother hadn’t — 
Aunt Lucinda was coming upstairs now. 

“ Have you been awake long, Blue Bonnet ? ” 
Miss Lucinda asked. She sat down on the side 
of the bed, laying a hand over the one Blue Bonnet 


A DARE 


283 


held out to her; she looked grave, but not at all — 
lectury, Blue Bonnet decided. 

“ I only just woke up, I’ll get right up,” the girl 
said. 

Miss Lucinda shook her head. ‘‘ Breakfast first, 
and then — if the doctor says you may — we’ll 
talk about the getting up.” 

“ But I don’t need the doctor ! ” Blue Bonnet 
protested. 

She had little appetite for the daintily prepared 
breakfast Miss Lucinda brought her presently. “ I 
ought not to have these dishes this morning,” she 
insisted, touching the pretty sprigged cup and sau- 
cer, — “I ought not to have anything nice.” 

Miss Lucinda smiled. Dr. Clark has been 
known to give very unpleasant doses; it is possible 
that he may give you something very far from 
nice.” 

“ I hope he says I may get up,” Blue Bonnet said. 
“ I hate lying in bed.” 

‘‘ Then it should prove excellent discipline,” Miss 
Lucinda suggested, shaking out her pillow and 
making her comfortable in a way Blue Bonnet 
found very pleasant. 

Did you sleep in here on the lounge last night. 
Aunt Lucinda ? ” she asked. 

“Yes,” Miss Lucinda answered; she was put- 
ting the room to rights now. Blue Bonnet watched 
her interestedly. “ How easily you do things — so 


284 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


quickly and without a bit of fuss,” she said. 
** There comes the doctor — I know he’ll say I’m 
foolish — lying here.” 

What the doctor said, among other things, was 
that, in his opinion, Woodford had the unenviable 
distinction at that moment of containing two as 
headstrong and foolish young persons as it had 
ever been his lot to run across. And he ended by 
prescribing a day’s quiet in bed for Blue Bonnet; 
after which, he and Aunt Lucinda went downstairs 
together. 

A little cold, a good deal of fatigue, and con- 
siderable nervous excitement,” the doctor told Mrs. 
Clyde and Miss Lucinda. “ She isn’t as rugged as 
some of our Woodford girls,” he added, and this 
is her first New England winter. Quiet and cod- 
dling will bring her around all right.” 

‘‘And Kitty?” Mrs. Clyde inquired. 

“ Tired, and I trust — penitent,” Kitty’s father 
answered. 

Blue Bonnet slept most of the day, Solomon 
mounting guard on the rug beside her bed. Accord- 
ing to calculation, it should have been Saturday, but 
never had Solomon known his mistress to spend 
Saturday in such peculiar fashion before. 

When Blue Bonnet finally awoke, towards late 
afternoon,, feeling wonderfully rested, she found 
Grandmother sitting before the fire, her sewing 
lying idly in her lap. She looked tired and troubled. 


A DARE 


285 


Blue Bonnet told herself, and it was all her 
fault. 

Grandmother,” — Blue Bonnet sat up in bed, 
shaking her hair back from her face — “ please, I 
am ever and ever so sorry ! About last night — it 
was just a foolish dare that I took up — and was 
too obstinate to let drop. I don’t believe, in the 
beginning, Kitty really meant it for a dare ; she was 
only teasing. And I might have gone, even if she 
hadn’t gone too, but she wouldn’t have gone with- 
out me. So it was a good deal more my fault 
than hers. Once we’d got started, neither of us 
would give in. And then — afterwards, all the way 
home through the dark — I kept thinking of what 
happened last summer — out on the ranch ; and 
seeing it all over again; and remembering what 
Uncle Joe said — how it need never have happened, 
if the poor, foolish fellow had had the grit enough 
not to take a dare. You see, one of the other cow- 
boys dared him to ride that horse, and he would 
do it — though Uncle Joe warned him not to.” 

It should not have taken much ‘ grit ’ not to 
take Kitty’s dare last night, Blue Bonnet,” Mrs. 
Clyde said, gravely. “ A moment’s thought should 
have been enough to deter you.” 

“ Somehow, I never do seem to do my thinking 
until afterwards,” Blue Bonnet mourned. 

But ‘ afterwards,’ when there had been plenty 
of time for thought, you still went on.” 


286 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ Y — yes,” Blue Bonnet admitted, ‘‘ but it 
didn’t seem as if I could give in before Kitty did. 
Grandmother.” 

“It is not so many years ago. Blue Bonnet,” 
Grandmother said, “ that a party of young people 
went skating up at that end of the pond, against 
orders, and that one of them did not come back 
with the rest.” 

“ Grandmother ! And you had that to think 
about — all last evening ! ” 

“ Yes, Blue Bonnet.” 

“I — hate myself ! I’ll never take such a silly 
dare as that was last night again ! ” 

“ It is my experience,” Grandmother observed, 
“ that most dares come under that description.” 

When Aunt Lucinda came up just before supper, 
bringing messages from various friends, and a little 
knot of lemon verbena and heliotrope from Sarah’s 
window garden, she found Blue Bonnet looking 
very sober. 

“We shall not have to keep you prisoner to- 
morrow, my dear,” Miss Lucinda said. “ I expect 
we shall have numerous callers, even if it is Sun- 
day.” 

Blue Bonnet laid Sarah’s flowers against her 
face. “I’m sorry the club couldn’t meet — it’s the 
first time we’ve missed since starting. For a 
moment or two, she lay looking across at her aunt 
in the low chair before the fire; then she asked, 


A DARE 


287 


suddenly, “ Aunt Lucinda, aren’t you going to — 
say anything to me? ” 

“ Say anything. Blue Bonnet?” 

About — last night ? ” 

“ Haven’t you and your grandmother talked 
things over. Blue Bonnet ? ” 

“ Yes,” Blue Bonnet answered, but Grand- 
mother was just — dear, and I thought — I don’t 
mean that you’re not — ” Blue Bonnet colored, 
“ only it does seem as if someone ought to — scold 
me. It was so horrid of me.” 

Miss Lucinda half smiled. And you consider 
that my especial prerogative? No, Blue Bonnet, I 
am not going to ‘ say anything,’ as you express it, 
to you. I am going to ask that another time you 
will give a little thought to the worry and anxiety 
your heedlessness is likely to cause other people. 
I do not think you realize how troubled your grand- 
mother was last evening.” 

“ Oh, I will try,” Blue Bonnet’s voice trembled. 
“ I will, I truly will. Aunt Lucinda ! ” 

Solomon,” she confided to him later, as they 
two were alone in the firelight, Solomon, Aunt 
Lucinda can be such a dear ! ” 


CHAPTER XVI 


ladies’ day 

The storm was followed by the thaw; a very 
thorough-going thaw, which gave Blue Bonnet her 
first experience of what country roads can be like 
under such conditions. 

We can’t skate, we can’t coast, we can’t ride, 
and the walking is — ” 

That’s just what it is! ” Boyd agreed. 

Then what can we do ? ” Blue Bonnet looked 
at Alec, as if expecting him to solve the difficulty. 

“ You might meditate and invite your soul,” he 
suggested. 

It was a Saturday morning, and the three were 
sitting on the Clyde’s back porch in the sunshine. 
Blue Bonnet had explained that she could stay only 

a moment ” — that she was dusting ; but Blue 
Bonnet’s minutes were apt to prove elastic. 

I don’t want to invite my soul ! ” she protested 
now. On the whole, the past fortnight had been 
very tiresome; what she wanted, more than any- 
thing at this moment, was to have some fun — fun 
spelled with a capital F. 

Lying alone in the twilight that Saturday even- 
ing two weeks ago, she had made all manner of 
good resolutions, among which, being in early had 
288 


LADIES’ DAY 


289 


taken prominent place. Then the thaw had come, 
and there had been no excuse for staying out. 

Worst of all, the warm February wind, with its 
touch of Spring softness, blowing the last few days, 
would keep sending her thoughts back to the great 
open sweep of the prairie. Oh, for one long ride 
across it with Uncle Cliff! One glimpse of the old 
familiar ranch life! Of Uncle Joe and old Benita! 

Woodford is dull,” Boyd was saying, — “ at 
least for us outsiders. There’s no use denying it.” 

Blue Bonnet flicked her duster; that was what 
had brought her out to the porch in the first place, 
and whenever the thought that she ought to go in 
grew too insistent, she flicked it again. 

“ That makes ten times,” Alec laughed. ‘‘ I’ve 
kept tally.” 

** I suppose,” Blue Bonnet said, slowly, “ that 
Aunt Lucinda would say, that neither was there 
any use in asserting it.” 

Without doubt,” Boyd agreed. 

Maybe it’s just me.” Blue Bonnet looked at 
Alec; and somehow, he couldn’t help feeling glad 
that she had not used Boyd’s us.” 

I’m afraid not,” he answered, “ though it’s very 
kind of you to be willing to shoulder all the respon- 
sibility. We might get up a crowd and go in town 
this afternoon.” 

Museum ! ” Boyd scoffed. '' Botanical Gar- 
dens! Library! I don’t see myself.” 


290 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ It’s club day,” Blue Bonnet said. 

‘‘ Chuck it ! ” Boyd advised. 

And suddenly, Blue Bonnet felt a strange desire 
to follow his suggestion. It would be an indoor 
meeting; they would all bring their work. She 
could see the six bags ranged in a circle about the 
table, could see Sarah taking small, precise stitches 
in the apron she was making for the third youngest 
Blake, could hear Kitty teasing them all, and Ruth 
trying to keep peace. 

While between now and club time lay dusting, 
and mending, and lessons to get. 

She was tired of being “ good ” and behaving 
properly ” ! She might as well have been born 
Sarah Blake and done with it. 

‘‘ Isn’t there anything new to do? ” She turned 
imploring eyes to Alec. Something exciting and 
out of the everlasting old rut! ” 

'‘What’s the use of asking him?” Boyd said. 
“ He’s already made two suggestions.” 

For a moment, Alec said nothing; then he got 
up. " May I have ten minutes — to make quite sure 
it is feasible in? ” 

Blue Bonnet’s face brightened. " Will it hap- 
pen in ten minutes?” 

" Happen, if it happens at all, it won’t happen 
until this afternoon. Come along, Boyd — there’ll 
be work enough for two.” 

Blue Bonnet slipped from the porch railing to her 


LADIES^ DAY 


291 


feet. ‘‘ Did you bring that horrid word in on pur- 
pose ? And, Alec, you know, I can’t really ‘ chuck ’ 
the club — wouldn’t Aunt Lucinda love that word ! 
It wouldn’t do.” 

‘‘Who wants you to?” 

“ Will the club be in it? ” 

“ If I have to use a club to get them there! ” 

Boyd whistled softly; collectively, he did not find 
the “We are Seven’s ” so interesting. 

Ten minutes later. Blue Bonnet, down on her 
knees giving the final finish to the spindle legs of 
the oldest mahogany card table, heard Alec calling 
to her from one of the side windows. “ All 
serene,” he said. “ Mind, you show up at three 
o’clock, promptly! Take the side door and make 
straight for the attic! By the way, there’ll be sup- 
per afterwards. Norah’s grumbling beautifully 
about it right now.” 

“ And the club? ” Blue Bonnet asked, joyfully. 

“Boyd and I’ll look out for them. So long!” 

Blue Bonnet flew to tell Grandmother the good 
news, cheerfully ignoring the fact that she and her 
work-basket had been for some time overdue up 
there. 

“ Do you suppose it’s charades ? ” she asked. 

“ Shall we two have a tableau now ? ” Grand' 
mother suggested. “ ‘ The Mending-hour ’ ? ” 

“ We played charades at the Doyles’ one night,” 
Blue Bonnet went on, as she settled herself in the 


292 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


low sewing-chair beside her grandmother. ‘‘ They 
were lots of fun! This isn’t.’^ Blue Bonnet 
dropped the darning egg into the toe of a stocking 
rather impatiently. It would be a whole lot easier 
just to run a draw string ’round the holes and tie 
them up.” 

“ Until you came to walking on them,” Mrs. 
Clyde laughed. “ Careful, dear — remember, ' the 
more haste, the less speed.’ ” 

“ That’s one of the things I never can remem- 
ber ; and that reminds me — Grandmother, I’ve 
never answered Carita Judson’s Christmas-box let- 
ter.” 

“ Then isn’t it about time you did ? ” 

Uncle Joe — when he’s away from the ranch — 
just wires every little while, — he says it saves 
time and trouble.” 

“ I hardly think I should adopt that plan with 
Carita, dear.” 

“ No, but I’ll write to her to-morrow afternoon, 
after I’ve written Uncle Cliff.” 

Promptly at quarter to three the other members 
of the club appeared in a body, and the seven went 
across to the Trent’s side door, where several pairs 
of rubbers showed that they were not the first 
arrivals. 

Up the two flights of stairs to the attic they 
hurried. “ What are they doing I ” Kitty exclaimed. 
“ It sounds like steam rollers ! ” 


LADIES’ DAY 


293 


“ Who says we can’t go skating? ” Alec laughed, 
coming to meet them, as they reached the head of 
the second flight. 

‘‘Alec!” Blue Bonnet cried, joyfully. “Oh, 
you are the cleverest boy ! ” 

“ Roller skating ! ” Kitty clapped her hands, de- 
lightedly. “ That will be fun ! Alec, Blue Bon- 
net’s right I ” 

A wide space had been cleared from end to end 
of the big attic, and the stairway opening protected 
by a line of trunks; over other trunks bits of cur- 
tain stuff had been thrown for seats; before the 
windows, Alec had fastened heavy draperies, shut- 
ting out the daylight, while from the rafters hung 
lighted Chinese lanterns, left over from some gar- 
den party. 

“ Isn’t it pretty ! ” Susy cried — “ We never 
dreamed of anything like this ! ” 

“Ladies’ Day at the new Trent Rink!” Boyd 
said. “ We have made rather a tidy job of it, 
haven’t we ? — considering what short notice we 
had.” 

“ Step this way, ladies — for your skates ! ” 
Billy Slade cried, from the corner where the table 
stood piled with skates. 

“ We’re all here now — so the party can begin,” 
Alec agreed. 

“ Just we girls and a boy apiece,” Debby was 
counting heads. 


294 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ But,” Blue Bonnet questioned, as Alec fastened 
her skates for her, “ whatever made you think of 
it?” 

‘‘ It was pretty well up to me to think of some- 
thing — mighty quick; and I had an inward con- 
viction that what you wanted was something with 
more or less movement to it.” 

“ One thing,” Billy Slade announced, one eye on 
Kitty, — “if anybody should dare anybody to go 
to the end of the pond, they could get back all 
right before — ” 

“ Billy’s thinking of his supper already ! ” Kitty 
cut in; at which Billy, who certainly had a weak- 
ness in that direction, colored hotly, and immedi- 
ately after, by way of adding to his ease of mind, 
sat down with more abruptness than grace. 

“ You don’t mean to say that you’re too faint 
to stand ! ” Kitty held out a mocking hand. 

But Billy was not the only one to sit down in 
like fashion, poor Sarah being especially active in 
that line. Indeed, Kitty declared it made her posi- 
tively dizzy, trying to decide whether Sarah was 
going down, or getting up. 

“I — I’ve never had on roller skates before,” 
Sarah explained rather breathlessly, and the look in 
her eyes seemed to imply that she hoped never to 
have them on again. 

“But it’s fun — isn’t it?” Blue Bonnet caught 
her enthusiastically about the waist. “ To think 



“ ‘ ladies’ 


DAY AT THE TRENT RINK ’ PROVED A 
THOROUGH SUCCESS.” 


J <> 

'A o fc ^ 




LADIES* DAY 


295 


that, if it hadn’t been for Alec, we girls would have 
been sitting poked up over our work ! ” 

This time, Sarah’s look implied that in her opinion 
there were worse ways of passing an afternoon than 
sitting comfortably around a bright fire with one’s 
sewing. 

“I — ” she began, then went down, taking Blue 
Bonnet with her. 

“That’s right!” Kitty called, “just sit down 
together and talk it over,” and promptly followed 
their example, thanks to a gentle shove from Billy 
Slade. 

But if there were frequent tumbles, there were 
no serious ones; as Debby put it, they fell to rise 
again. 

“ We’ll start a roller-skating club, and call our- 
selves the ‘ Phoenix Club,’ ” one of the boys de- 
clared. 

All in all, “ Ladies’ Day at the Trent Rink ” 
proved a thorough success. It proved, too, an 
excellent outlet for the superfluous energies of at 
least one member there. 

“ I don’t know when I’ve had such a good time, 
or been so tired ! ” Blue Bonnet confided to Amanda, 
as they sat resting on a low steamer trunk. 

For the afternoon had been by no means con- 
fined to skating — in the exact sense of the word ; 
everything which could be done on roller skates, 
and some — which, as it proved, could not, — had 


296 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


been tried. Tag, blind-man’s buff, hide and seek; 
and as the grand finale, the Virginia Reel, to the 
tune of Alec’s whistling. 

Downstairs in the kitchen, Norah paused more 
than once in her work to wonder if the old house 
was coming down about her ears. 

Let’s do it every week ! ” Kitty urged, as they 
dropped down, breathless and happy, to take off 
their skates — while from below came the appetiz- 
ing odor of hot chocolate. 

“ I’ve never seen you so beautifully untidy be- 
fore in all my life, Sarah Blake,” Debby assured 
Sarah, as the girls went down to the best room to 
freshen up for supper. 

I am afraid we have been very boisterous,” 
Sarah said, soberly, “ and yet — it has been rather 
enjoyable.” 

It’s a good thing the General wasn’t home,” 
Susy laughed; “though I suppose if he had been 
Alec wouldn’t have planned such a lively party.” 

They had a picnic supper, instead of the regu- 
lation sit-down-to-the-table affair; fresh graham 
bread sandwiches, apple-pie and cheese, doughnuts, 
and the hot chocolate with whipped cream. 

And the appetites! 

“ Sure ’tis a comfort to know none of you do 
be pinin’ like,” Norah laughed, as she refilled the 
sandwich plate for the third time. 


LADIES’ DAY 


297 


‘‘ You shouldn’t make them so good,” one of the 
boys told her. 

‘‘ And you should have seen how hard we 
worked,” Ruth added. 

“ I’m not sayin’ I’ve not been bearin’ you ! ” 
Norah retorted. She smiled to herself as she 
glanced at Alec’s face — the boy was a boy for 
sure nowadays, — thanks mainly to “ that there ” 
Blue Bonnet. 

After supper, they told stories — - not being in- 
clined to anything more active in the way of amuse- 
ment ; and when presently the General appeared, he 
found his dining-room given up to a very contented 
set of young people. 

We’re having a beautiful time!” Blue Bonnet 
went to meet him. Don’t you want to come tell 
stories, too? But it hasn’t been all story-telling.” 

“And what has it ,all been?” General Trent 
asked, as Alec helped him off with his overcoat, and 
drew forward a chair. 

“ The Great and Only Trent Roller-Skating 
Rink opened its doors to the public this afternoon, 
sir,” Boyd explained. 

“Isn’t that something new?” his grandfather 
asked. 

“ It had to be something new, sir ; our neighbor,” 
Boyd glanced towards Blue Bonnet, “ insisted upon 
that. I think we more than fulfilled expectations. 


298 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


But it was certainly impromptu. Wasn’t it, old 
chap?” he smiled good-naturedly at Alec. 

‘‘ Rather,” Alec answered, dryly. 

“Well! Well!” the General said. And Blue 
Bonnet felt that he was giving credit for the idea, 
where credit was not due ; and that Boyd had meant 
him to. 

“ One would think — ” she began. 

Alec looked up quickly. “ Have you any strength 
left for thinking?” 

“ Attention ! ” Boyd commanded. “ General 
Trent has the floor. He is going to tell us a 
story.” 

The General looked gratified, though he protested 
that his stories were all old. He liked to tell of 
those early days of his at West Point; but he had 
got out of the habit of speaking of them to Alec; 
he didn’t want the boy to feel how disappointed he 
was that he was not to be a West Pointer, too. 
Lately, however, since Boyd’s coming, he had been 
led more than once to draw upon his memories of 
cadet life. Boyd had suddenly decided that he 
should like to take his chance at being “ General 
Trent ” some day. “ Someone ought to keep the 
old name up in the old line,” he explained to Alec, 
“ and since it doesn’t appear to be your line, I may 
as well make it mine.” 

And he listened, really interested now, to the 
stories his grandfather told, taking care not to hide 


LADIES’ DAY 


299 


his interest; conscious, as the General was, that 
Alec had drawn a little back from the circle of light 
thrown by the fire. 

Blue Bonnet noticed it too, and forgot to listen 
with this new feeling of indignant sympathy crowd- 
ing out all other ideas except the fear that Alec had 
overtired himself on her account. He had managed 
not to take too active a share in the afternoon’s 
merrymaking; all the same, she was afraid that it 
had proved rather too vigorous an affair for him. 

“ I don’t believe we will do it every week,” she 
said as they crossed the lawn together ; “ it might 
not be such fun again — second times are a bit 
risky — and I don’t want to spoil the thought of 
this.” 

Then the Trent Rink is to be a short-lived 
affair?” 

As far as I have any say about it.” 

It was opened in your honor, and it shall be 
closed at your command,” Alec laughed. 

You’re getting to be as accommodating as 
Uncle Cliff! I couldn’t put it stronger. But, Alec, 
how could you — ” 

^‘How could I what?” 

“ Let your grandfather think it was all — ” 

See here,” Alec interposed. I thought we 
were not to spoil — anything. Truly, Blue Bonnet, 
he did a lot of the work; and I daresay it may 
have looked to him as if he had pulled it off./’ 


300 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


I don’t care how it looked to him! And if he 
is your cousin — I don’t like him — one bit ! And 
I’ve had a splendid time — but it’s you I’m thank- 
ing for it ! ” 

“ You don’t expect me to find fault with you for 
that,” Alec laughed. “ Good night, my lady.” 

“ Good night,” Blue Bonnet answered, and went 
on into the sitting-room to give Grandmother and 
Aunt Lucinda an account of the afternoon’s doings. 

“ Maybe I’m not tired,” she said, curling herself 
up among the pillows on the lounge, and maybe 
we haven’t had a good time ! ” 

“Doing what, my dear?” Aunt Lucinda asked, 
laying down her book, and suddenly realizing that 
the evening had seemed rather longer than usual. 

“ ‘ Acting up,’ ” Norah called it. “ She said it 
sounded to her like there were forty instead of 
fourteen up attic, and that we weren’t one of us 
a day over four.” 

“Poor Norah!” Mrs. Clyde laughed. “But 
what did ‘acting up’ consist of?” 

“Falling down and getting up, mostly,” Blue 
Bonnet answered ; “ that is, for some of us. Alec 
rented a lot of roller-skates and turned the attic 
into the j oiliest rink. Wasn’t it the cutest idea? 
And that horrid Boyd — ” 

“ Blue Bonnet ! ” Miss Lucinda began. 

“Well, he is horrid. Aunt Lucinda! Taking all 
the credit ! I wish he’d never come — and I think 


LADIES^ DAY 


301 


Alec wishes it, too, though he’d die, rather than 
let on that — ” Blue Bonnet paused to slip another 
pillow behind her back. “ Please don’t let’s talk 
about him. Aunt Lucinda ! ” 

“ My dear, I am not aware that we were talking 
about him.” 

“ He makes me feel cross all over — the same 
as making crocheted shawls does.” 

'' I thought we were not to talk about him,” 
Miss Lucinda suggested, while Grandmother asked, 
laughingly, how many such shawls Blue Bonnet had 
made. 

Whereupon, Blue Bonnet subsided. Gradually 
the little pucker of irritation the thought of Boyd 
had called up disappeared; the vague feeling of 
discontent and longing of the morning had dis- 
appeared, too, by now. She felt very grateful to 
Alec. She had been just in the mood for — almost 
anything in the way of mischief ; and then — to- 
night, it would have been like that Saturday night, 
two weeks ago, all over again. Only this time, 
how could Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda have be- 
lieved her honestly in earnest, have felt that she 
was ever to be depended on? 

She was glad now that she had done her dusting 
and mending — so long as Grandmother and Aunt 
Lucinda were so keen about it. And at the same 
time, somewhere in the back of her mind was the 
dim remembrance of something that had been left 


302 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


undone, a remembrance which, in her present 
drowsy condition, she was perfectly willing should 
remain in the back of her mind. 

And when, presently. Grandmother spoke to her, 
Blue Bonnet was fast asleep. 

‘‘ She should be in bed,’’ Miss Lucinda said, as 
Mrs. Clyde got up to lay a light afghan over the 
curled-up figure among the cushions. 

She will probably rouse up in a few moments,” 
Mrs. Clyde answered. ‘‘ I remember how I used 
to enjoy such a little nap before the fire at her 
age.” 

‘‘ What is Blue Bonnet’s age ? ” Miss Lucinda 
asked, half gravely, half laughingly. “ It would 
seem to be as variable as the weather, ranging all 
the way from six years to normal, but striking the 
latter point very seldom.” 

“ Are you in a hurry to have her grow up, 
Lucinda ? ” 

Miss Lucinda was rather long in answering 
this question. ‘‘ Not to grow up — as you put it,” 
she said at last. I should like to see her be- 
come more responsible. She will be sixteen in 
June.” 

Mrs. Clyde glanced at the sleeping face. “ We 
must trust to time, and — the grace of God.” 

Miss Lucinda glanced also at the flushed face in 
its frame of tangled hair. Blue Bonnet asleep 
looked more childish than ever; and yet — 


LADIES’ DAY 


303 


“ She should really be in bed/’ Miss Lucinda 
said. She is likely to take cold sleeping there.” 

But at that moment, Blue Bonnet sat up, facing 
them with eyes almost tragic. 

Do you know!” she brought each word out 
with emphatic distinctness, I haven’t prepared my 
lessons for Monday! I knew there was something 
I’d forgotten — I just couldn’t study last evening; 
I hated the mere sight of those tiresome books! 
And to-day, I forgot all about them ! ” 

Blue Bonnet slipped to her feet and started for 
the closet where she kept her school-books. “ That’s 
what comes of having a place for things and put- 
ting them in it! If they’d only been laying 
’round — ” 

Not to-night. Blue Bonnet,” her aunt said. 

It is altogether too late for studying. You must 
get an early start Monday morning.” 

All right,” Blue Bonnet agreed with a readi- 
ness Miss Lucinda found discouraging ; ‘‘ only 
you’ll have to call me. Aunt Lucinda.” 

I don’t suppose,” she confided to Solomon, as 
she tucked his warm blanket about him, “ I don’t 
suppose Sarah Blake ever forgets to get her les- 
sons, do you? ” 

She put the question to Sarah herself, on the 
way home from church the next morning. 

“ Why, no,” Sarah answered, wonderingly. ** I 
don’t think one ought — ” 


304 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ How many oughts make a must ? Blue Bon- 
net interrupted. 

Sarah colored slightly. ‘‘ I am afraid I do use 
that word too often.” She stood a moment, her 
hand on the parsonage gate. There seemed to be 
so many more oughts in her life than in Blue 
Bonnet’s ; and yet, everyone liked Blue Bonnet. Dr. 
Clark had said only the other day that she was 
as refreshing as one of the breezes from off her 
own prairies. Sarah had no desire to be called 
breezy, but of late she was conscious that she didn’t 
want to be thought — the word came hard — prig- 
gish. That was the exact term Kitty had used 
yesterday. “I — I don’t want to seem to be — 
preaching at you,” she added. 

“You weren’t! You’re just a dear, good old 
Sarah ! ” In spite of the fact that they were stand- 
ing right on the main street. Blue Bonnet gave her 
companion a hearty hug. 

Sarah colored considerably more than slightly this 
time; no one had ever hugged her on Main Street 
before. 

“ I think,” Blue Bonnet announced later, at the 
dinner-table, “ that, when you remember her bring- 
ing up, Sarah isn’t half bad I ” 

Grandmother’s eyes twinkled. “ It is very kind 
of you to make proper allowances for her bringing 
up, though I had not supposed there was anything 
out of the way about it.” 


LADIES’ DAY 


305 


“ There is — from the Texas point of view,” 
Blue Bonnet laughed. “ Anyhow, I mean to try 
and be more like her. That would suit you right 
down to the ground, wouldn’t it. Aunt Lucinda?” 

“ How soon do you begin, Blue Bonnet? ” Miss 
Lucinda’s smile was most expressive. 

“ Why, right away ! ” the girl answered. 

She wrote to Uncle Cliff and Carita that after- 
noon, was in early from her run with Solomon, 
and after supper was found by Miss Lucinda stand- 
ing before one of the tall bookcases in the back 
parlor, studying the titles inside with dubious 
eyes. 

‘‘ Aren’t there any one-volume Lives, Aunt 
Lucinda?” she asked. ‘‘Sarah’s Sunday evening 
reading was always devoted to ‘ Lives.’ ” 

“Certainly, Blue Bonnet; but just now, I think 
your grandmother is waiting for you to sing for 
her.” 

Blue Bonnet relinquished her pursuit of a one- 
volume Life that should look fairly tempting from 
the outside, most willingly. Singing hymns to 
Grandmother in the twilight, with a break now 
and then into the old Spanish ^Ave Maria learned 
from Benita, seemed a far pleasanter way of pass- 
ing the time. 

“ Grandmother,” she asked, when the singing was 
over, and Aunt Lucinda had lighted the low read- 
ing-lamp on the center table, “ did you like reading 


306 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


dull books when you were my age? Lives, you 
know, and — 

“ But they are not necessarily dull reading. Blue 
Bonnet. My mother used to read them with me 
of a Sunday evening; I got to think it one of the 
most enjoyable evenings of the whole week. It 
was she who gave me my fondness for reading 
about things that had really happened, and of people 
who had really lived and struggled.” 

‘‘ The persons in the books one loves best do 
seem alive,” Blue Bonnet said. 

“ So they do,” Grandmother agreed. She got 
up and, going over to the bookcase, which to Blue 
Bonnet had seemed likely to yield very little in 
the way of fruit, came back presently with Helen 
Keller's The Story of My Life.” 

“ Suppose we begin this. Blue Bonnet. I shall 
be much mistaken if you find it ‘ dull.' ” 

Blue Bonnet established herself in a big chair 
opposite; Solomon pressed close against her skirts, 
— Solomon meant to insinuate himself into the 
chair beside his mistress so soon as Grandmother's 
attention had become sufficiently diverted. Solo- 
mon appeared to enjoy being read to quite as much 
as Blue Bonnet did. 

Very far from dull the latter found the story 
of the deaf, dumb, and blind girl — as told by her- 
self. “ Shall we go on with it next Sunday eve- 


LADIES’ DAY 


307 


ning, Blue Bonnet ? ” Grandmother asked, as she 
closed the book. 

“ Mayn’t we go on with it right now, Grand- 
mother, please ? ” 

Mrs. Clyde pointed to the clock on the mantel. 
‘‘ There is studying to be done to-morrow morning 
before breakfast, you remember; which must mean 
an early start to-night.” 

Blue Bonnet shoved Solomon gently to the 
floor — Solomon had accomplished his intention. 

I am not at all sure that I approve of studying 
before breakfast,” she sighed. 

She was quite sure that she did not when Aunt 
Lucinda tapped at her door the next morning, 
punctual to the moment. It seemed to Blue Bonnet 
that Woodford people carried their love of punc- 
tuality to an unnecessary extreme. 

‘‘ I surely would like,” she told herself, sleepily, 
** to live for one while where there were no clocks ! ” 
Then she snuggled comfortably down under the 
warm blankets for ‘‘ just one minute more.” 

The next thing Blue Bonnet knew, Delia was 
tapping at her door with — ‘‘ Half past seven. 
Miss!” 

''Half past seven!'' Blue Bonnet tumbled out 
of bed, very wide awake. She had been asleep a 
whole hour! 

Being in a hurry, it naturally followed that every- 


308 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


thing went wrong. It was an extremely flushed 
Blue Bonnet that slipped into her place at the break- 
fast table five minutes late. 

“ Did you get through all right, dear ? ” Grand- 
mother asked. 

I didn’t begin! I — fell asleep again! I just 
know the ‘ jolly good — ’ ” 

“ Who, Blue Bonnet ? ” her aunt interposed. 

“ Miss Fellows will be anything but a ‘ jolly — ’ 
I beg your pardon. Aunt Lucinda — will be tire- 
some.” Blue Bonnet added an extra spoonful of 
sugar to her porridge, as if she felt that her day 
was likely to prove far from sweet. Grandmother 
looked disappointed, and Aunt Lucinda looked — ; 
yet when you came to think of it, she was the 
one who would have to face the music. 

Something’s happened to somebody ! ” Kitty 
chanted, as her fellow club member came upstairs 
to the dressing-room that morning. 

Blue Bonnet swung her strap of books impa- 
tiently. ** I haven’t prepared a single lesson — 
except what I did in study hour Friday — I forgot 
to do them ! ” 

“ But I thought you intended getting up early,” 
Sarah began. 

“ I thought so, too — yesterday,” Blue Bonnet 
interrupted. She didn’t feel in the least inclined 
to adopt Sarah for a model this morning. Just 
at present the sight of Sarah’s placid face, framed 


LADIES’ DAY 


309 


in smooth plaits of blond hair, roused a sudden 
unreasoning desire in her to shake Sarah Blake. 
Sarah would answer every question put to her in 
her slow, correct way. 

You’ll have to bluff for all you’re worth,” 
Debby advised, — Debby was an authority in the 
gentle art of bluffing teachers. 

“ Yes,” Kitty chimed in. ‘‘ When you forget 
to Mo ’ your lessons, you must remember to Mo ’ 
the teacher.’^ 

Blue Bonnet turned away; they were very un- 
sympathetic! Uncle Cliff would have cared — and 
Alec. 

Miss Fellows was at her desk; her smile, as she 
said good morning, sent a warm glow to the 
girl’s heart. She was sorry things would have to 
be horrid, they had got on beautifully — so 
far. 

All at once she turned, coming up to the desk. 
“You might as well know the worst beforehand, 
Miss Fellows,” she said, impulsively. “ I expect 
I’ll have a lot of failures toMay.” 

“Dear me, are you quite sure?” Miss Fellows 
asked, sympathetically. 

“ Quite — and it’s all my own fault,” Blue Bon- 
net went on to explain the situation; when she 
reached the “ one minute more ” part, her listener 
felt suddenly for her pocket handkerchief. “ It 
isn’t very easy getting up early these mornings,” 


310 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


she observed ; “ but we won’t give up hope so soon, 
Blue Bonnet.” 

It was after morning exercises, that Miss Fellows 
announced, most unexpectedly, that the Latin les- 
son that morning would be in the nature of a 
general review. 

“ Why couldn’t she have told us Friday, instead 
of giving out a lesson the same as usual? ” Kitty 
whispered to Amanda. 

Blue Bonnet came home that afternoon at the 
usual time and quite her usual light-hearted self. 
Balancing on the arm of a chair, she gleefully 
explained the turn affairs had taken at school that 
day. 

“ Wasn’t it the luckiest thing that the ‘ jolly 
good ’ — please. Aunt Lucinda, I must call her that 
this time ! — should have hit on to-day for a re- 
view all along the line? ” 

“ Including English, Blue Bonnet ? ” Miss 
Lucinda suggested. 

Blue Bonnet laughed. Including everything — 
except French — she doesn’t have that; but I man- 
aged all right there, I’d been over the ground at 
home. As it happened, I needn’t have told her what 
I did this morning.” 

‘‘ And what did you tell her ? ” Grandmother 
asked. 

Why all about what Kitty calls — my sleep and 


LADIES’ DAY 


311 


a forgetting. I thought she might as well be pre- 
pared for what was coming.” 

“ Lucinda,” Mrs. Clyde remarked, when Blue 
Bonnet had gone out. “ Suppose we were to in- 
vite Miss Fellows to tea some evening? She strikes 
me as being a woman of a — singularly sympathetic 
disposition.” 

Miss Lucinda smiled — a little unwillingly. 

Please, Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet came back 
just then to say, “ I forgot to tell you — Fm so 
sorry I got you up unnecessarily this morning. I 
reckon getting out early to study isn’t much in my 
line.” 


CHAPTER XVII 


A CLASS AFFAIR 

Kitty came down the class-room aisle as jubilant 
and beaming, as if, outside, March winds and 
March rains were not having it all their own way. 

“ IVe my subject for the Sargent!” she an- 
nounced to the little group gathered about one of 
the windows at the far end of the room. 

‘‘ What is it ? ” Debby asked. 

“ That's telling,” Kitty settled herself on the 
window-seat beside Blue Bonnet. 

“ I wish I had mine,” Amanda sighed. ** Have 
you yours. Blue Bonnet?” 

‘‘ Pm not going to write any.” Blue Bonnet felt 
a swift relief in this sudden settling of the question, 
once for all. She didn’t want to even hear about 
the Sargent just then. She wanted to get out in 
the rain, to battle with the wind and storm, instead 
of watching it here from the window. But there 
wouldn’t be any good in getting out for the little 
while recess lasted. It must have been someone 
like the founder of the Sargent prize who had set- 
tled on half-hour recesses. 

Not going to try I ” Susy exclaimed, wonder- 
ingly. “ But we’re all going to. Blue Bonnet ! ” 
312 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


313 


“ Probably.” 

“ It’s the — the proper thing to do, you know,” 
Ruth added. 

“ Ruth’s poaching on your ground, Sarah ! ” 
Kitty remarked. 

Blue Bonnet twisted the end of her long braid 
impatiently. “ That’s one reason why I am not go- 
ing to try ! Vlhere are so many ‘ proper things ’ to 
be done here in Woodford.” 

‘‘ Don’t you worry, my dear,” Kitty observed ; 
“ no one’s likely to mistake you for a true, bred- 
in-the-bone Woodfordite — yet awhile.” 

“ You’ll be the only one of the ' We are Seven’s ’ 
not trying, Blue Bonnet,” Ruth protested. 

“ That’ll be something. Anyhow, only one girl 
can get it, out of the whole class.” 

“ That’s what makes it so jolly if one does win ! ” 
Kitty explained. 

I think it would be horrid, winning it away 
from everyone else ! ” Blue Bonnet declared. “And 
if one didn’t win — that would be horrid too.” 

“ But,” Sarah said slowly, “ even if one doesn’t 
win the prize, won’t it be better, for one’s self, I 
mean, to know one has tried ? ” 

“ It is better to have tried and lost, 

Than never tried at all.” 

Kitty chanted. 

Sarah looked grave ; “ I don’t think you should 
parody those lines, Kitty ! ” 


314 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Kitty wrinkled up her pert little nose. “ Don’t 
you, Sallykins ? Then I won’t — until the next 
time they come in handy.” 

Kitty, be good ! ” Ruth urged. 

‘ And let who will, be clever,’ ” Debby added. 
‘‘Has anyone heard how Mademoiselle is? Will 
she be able to come to-day ? ” 

“ She’s worse ! ” Ruth said, “ I asked this 
morning.” 

All ' but Sarah and Amanda — who were not 
taking French — groaned. It was Wednesday, — 
French day, — and it would make the third time 
running that Mademoiselle had had to be absent. 
It would also mean Monsieur Hugo again. 

“ It’s very provoking, how the wrong persons 
will go and get sick,” Debby sighed. “ No one 
would have minded Monsieur Hugo getting the 
grip ! ” 

“ As if lie could ever really substitute for Ma- 
demoiselle Lamotte,” Susy protested — the class 
adored Mademoiselle. “We haven’t had a decent 
recitation with him yet.” 

“ It’s all his fault ! ” Debby insisted ; “ he’s so 
cross and so — polite. I mean it,” she added, as 
the rest laughed, “ I don’t know whether to call 
it crossly polite, or politely cross. One could stand 
either of them alone — but together ! ” 

“ My prophetic soul warns me that there are 
breakers ahead ! ” Kitty said. 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


315 


And that afternoon, catching sight of Monsieur 
through the half-open door, she leaned forward 
to whisper to Blue Bonnet, who sat just in front, 

I’ve discovered what he’s like — he looks as 
though he had been brought up on his own irregu- 
lar verbs and they hadn’t agreed with him.” 

“ Wouldn’t you have wanted them to?” Blue 
Bonnet laughed back. 

“Katherine! Elizabeth!” Miss Fellows said, 
adding that the French class were to go to their 
recitation-room at once. 

“She should have said — the class in French,” 
Debby commented, slipping into place behind Blue 
Bonnet and Kitty, “ Poor Monsieur, I’m rather 
sorry for him.” 

“ I’m letting pity begin at home ! ” Kitty re- 
turned, as the three retired modestly to the back 
row, leaving the front seats for Hester Manly and 
what Kitty called, “the other stars.” ^ 

“ The class will come to order ! ” Monsieur was 
looking straight at the back row ; he had very keen 
eyes behind his gold-rimmed spectacles. 

That was a truly awful half-hour for more than 
one member of the class. 

Monsieur did not in the least understand “ the 
youth American,” and had even less sympathy with 
what he considered his present pupils’ inexcusable 
lack of preparation. 

Extremely polite in voice and manner, but pos- 


316 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


sessing to a marked degree the gift of sarcasm, his 
methods were so dissimilar from those of their 
beloved Mademoiselle — who had the knack of ex- 
tracting answers from the most unpromising pupil 
— that the majority of the class soon gave up try- 
ing to make even a creditable showing; deciding, 
apparently, that endurance — and dumb endurance 
at that — was the only course left them. 

His polite request that they should not all en- 
deavor to reply at once, they obeyed to the letter. 

“He’s only a ' sub,’ anyhow,” Kitty reminded 
Blue Bonnet. 

Blue Bonnet’s face was crimson ; he was too hate- 
ful — she shouldn’t try to answer another single 
question. 

Monsieur was on his feet by now, walking back 
and forth before the class, gesticulating nervously, 
shrugging impatiently; was it possible that he had 
made the mistake — that they were not the class 
in French after all? Or was it that they took not 
the interest in his language? He was there to in- 
struct, to hear the recitations, to correct the pro- 
nunciation, mais — 

All of which, poured out in rapid French, did not 
help matters any. 

“ We go now to make the attempt further,” he 
opened the book again. “ Mademoiselle,” he fixed 
his glance on Hester, “ will kindly translate.” 

Hester did her best, which was not so bad after 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


317 


what had gone before, and for a few moments 
peace descended on the room. But Hester giving 
place presently to her next neighbor, a boy who 
was only taking French because another fellow had 
said it was a whole lot easier than German, trouble 
began once more. 

“ That will do ! ” Monsieur closed his book. It 
is incomprehensible — the badness of it ! ” He 
looked fromi^he to another of the faces before him, 
some flushed, some indifferent, some sullen, and 
some genuinely distressed. “We will call it the 
failure — all complete. You comprehend that? 
The failure for each! For the next time, we take 
the same lesson. Moi, I do not permit myself the 
hope that it will go better, I have not the room for 
hope left — only the amazement, indescribable. The 
class is dismissed.’’ 

Three minutes after general dismission that 
afternoon, an indignation meeting was held in that 
same little recitation-room. 

“ He’s an old — ” Kitty’s gesture, borrowed 
from Monsieur, filled out her sentence. 

“ At least, he didn’t show any partiality — when 
it came to compliments,” one of the boys laughed. 

“ Some of us did fail,” Ruth began. 

“ We did,” the other cut in. 

“ But not all — Hester and some of the rest did 
all right; it wasn’t fair, giving them failures too.” 

“ Maybe,” another boy suggested, “ he was try- 


318 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


ing to strike the general average. I say — wouldn’t 
Mademoiselle have been proud of us! ” 

“I’ll never, never recite to him again!” Debby 
declared. 

“ Has any one accused you of reciting this after- 
noon?” her brother Billy asked. 

“ Nor will I ! ” Kitty exclaimed. 

“Listen — everybody!” Billy jumped up on to 
one of the benches. “ Let’s take a vote on it — here 
and now ! Supposing — which the fates forbid ! — 
Monsieur Hugo should again — present himself 
in the capacity of substitute for Mademoiselle, will 
the class cut class in a body? — or will it not?” 

“ It will ! ” one of his mates answered promptly. 

For a few moments confusion reigned supreme; 
then one of the older boys, deposing Billy, not too 
gently, succeeded in getting the attention of the 
rest. “ It is hereby resolved, and so forth,” he said. 
“Those in favor — kindly signify in the usual 
manner! The ayes have it! Majority rules.” 

“ Oh, dear,” one of the girls said anxiously, “ I 
hope he doesn’t come again.” 

“ I don’t,” Kitty insisted, “ I’d just like to show 
him — ” 

“ But,” Blue Bonnet said, “ as the club members 
went downstairs together — all except Sarah and 
Amanda, “ wouldn’t it be a great deal simpler to 
go tell Mr. Hunt that you didn’t want that Mon- 
sieur Hugo again ? ” 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


319 


Kitty stopped to stare at her. Bless the child’s 
ignorance! I’d like to see any of us doing it! ” 

“ I wouldn’t mind — truly,” Blue Bonnet an- 
swered. 

Kitty turned on her almost fiercely; “You’d 
better not, Blue Bonnet Ashe ! This is a class affair 
— don’t you forget that ! ” 

“ Well,” Ruth said thoughtfully, “ it is to be 
hoped Mademoiselle is able to come Friday; we’ll 
be in pretty hot water if she isn’t.” 

Blue Bonnet was looking perplexed; school life 
seemed full of unexpected pitfalls. “ I suppose,” 
she questioned, “ that cutting class is considered 
pretty bad ? ” 

“ We sha’n’t exactly expect rewards of merit 
for doing it,” Debby answered. 

“ Which way did you vote, Blue Bonnet? ” Kitty 
asked, sharply. 

“ I didn’t vote ; before I really understood what 
it was you were all going to do, Billy told me it 
was quite settled.” 

“ It doesn’t matter,” Kitty said ; “ of course, 
you’ll go with the class ; unless — ” 

“Unless?” Blue Bonnet repeated. 

Kitty laughed. “ Unless you want to be jolly 
uncomfortable afterwards.” 

“ We’re all of us likely to be that,” Ruth said 
hurriedly, as Blue Bonnet’s color rose. “ Oh, I’m 
not backing out — so you needn’t look at me in 


320 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


that tone of voice, Kitty! But I’ve got sense 
enough not to look forward with any pleasure to 
a tussle with the powers that be.” 

“ The powers that be shouldn’t have sent such a 
horrid substitute ! ” Debby insisted. 

Contrary to her usual habit, Blue Bonnet did not 
go into the sitting-room on reaching home, but 
straight on up to her own room. Curling herself 
up in the window-seat overlooking the bare, rain- 
swept garden, she tried to think things over ; know- 
ing all the while that for her there was no 
choice. 

I am going to put you on your honor not to 
disobey in this fashion again; and so try to con- 
form more carefully to all the rules of the school.” 
The words had been running through her mind all 
the way home. 

She had promised. 

The girls would think that she was — Blue Bon- 
net moved restlessly; they must think what they 
would. Oh, why had Mademoiselle gone and got 
the grip! If it had not been for what Kitty had 
said about it’s being a class affair, she could have 
gone to Mr. Hunt and asked him to release her 
from her promise. He would have understood. 
He had understood perfectly that morning; and 
been so kind. 

“ Solomon,” she said wearily, as he came rubbing 
against her, asking reproachfully why she had left 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


321 


it for him to find out that she had got home, “ Solo- 
mon, old chap, we’re up against it ! ” 

Solomon jumped up beside her, sticking his cold 
nose under her soft chin. 

''If it isn’t one thing, it’s another, at school, 
Solomon,” she told him. " Be mighty thankful 
you don’t have to go to school, sir.” 

It was a very sober Blue Bonnet who came down 
at last to the sitting-room, where Grandmother and 
Aunt Lucinda waited anxiously. Aunt Lucinda 
being of Blue Bonnet’s own mind — that if it were 
not one thing, it was apt to be another. 

"Did you get wet, dear?” Grandmother asked. 

" Not to amount to anything.” Blue Bonnet 
dropped down on the lounge, looking as if life 
were all at once too much for her. 

" Has anything gone wrong at school, my dear? ” 
her aunt asked. 

" I should rather think there had ! But I can’t 
tell you about it. Aunt Lucinda; because it’s what 
Kitty calls — ' a class affair.’ ” 

Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda looked relieved ; 
there was safety in numbers; but Blue Bonnet, ly- 
ing back among the cushions, watched the little 
flames opposite dance and flicker, with troubled 
eyes. 

They had all taken it for granted that she would 
act with them, and when she did not — 

It would spoil ever)d;hing, the club good times — 


322 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


everything. Blue Bonnet sprang up and went 
to her practising ; Mademoiselle must come on 
Friday! Surely she would be well enough by 
then. 

It was just before supper that Alec ran over to 
return a book; he found Blue Bonnet alone in the 
back parlor. 

“ You did have a lively time this afternoon,” 
he said. ‘‘ No, I can’t wait to sit down. I must 
go right back.” 

“ Alec, did you ever cut class ? ” Blue Bonnet 
asked. 

“ No, but — ” 

“ Then you would, if — ” 

“I’d stand by my class, naturally. I hope there 
won’t be any ifs. I’m not ’round looking up 
trouble.” 

“ I think school is — hateful ! ” 

“ Halloa ! Why only the other day you were — ” 

“ The other day was the other day ; to-day is 
— different.” 

“ What’s up ? — this business of Monsieur 
Hugo? He must be a wonder!” 

“I hate French!” 

“Or one particular Frenchman?” Alec laughed. 

“ I wish I’d taken German.” 

Alec looked puzzled; Blue Bonnet couldn’t be 
af — , he broke the word off hastily. Why, he had 
expected to find her ready and eager to seize the 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


323 


chance to throw her gauntlet with the rest, with all 
her usual disregard of consequences. 

“ Mademoiselle ’ll be on hand, you’ll see,” he 
said, trying not to show his surprise, but Blue Bon- 
net felt the change in his voice. He would think 
her afraid, too. None of them would under- 
stand. 

“ I’ve decided on my Sargent,” he added, as if 
glad to change the subject. 

“ Have you ? ” Blue Bonnet’s pretense at interest 
was not very successful. “ Everybody seems to be 
getting their subjects. I’m glad I’m not trying. 
What is yours ? ” 

“ It’s a secret — remember ? ” 

I can keep secrets, and — promises.” 

Alec looked at her, wonderingly, caught by some- 
thing in her voice. “ I’m going to write up about 
some of the earlier Sargent winners — not the 
famous ones, they’ve been done to death, but some 
of the poor chaps who didn’t go on winning prizes. 
It won’t be easy, getting at the necessary facts.” 

** It sounds interesting,” Blue Bonnet said. 

She went with him to the door. The rain had 
stopped and over in the west the clouds had taken 
on a touch of sunset color. The wind had changed ; 
it blew fresh and cool against Blue Bonnet’s 
face. 

It’s going to clear, isn’t it ? ” she asked. 

Alec nodded. 


324 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Blue Bonnet’s spirits rose ; it was going to 
clear — everything would come out right, after all. 

But when Friday came, Mademoiselle, though 
better, was still unable to come to her classes. 

“ Mind,” Debby warned Blue Bonnet at recess, 
** that you take your books home at noon. We 
often do on Fridays, so it won’t be noticed.” 

Blue Bonnet, making a pretense at studying, 
looked up, questioningly. “ Why ? ” 

“ We only have drawing and French Friday 
afternoons; and we sha’n’t be coming back to our 
room after French to-day. One doesn’t cut class 
and then walk back to her place like a good little 
girl.” 

“ I suppose not,” Blue Bonnet said. She must 
tell them, it wasn’t fair not to. “ But I am not — 
going to cut class.” 

It was Kitty who broke the short silence that 
followed. ‘‘ Blue Bonnet Ashe, do you mean 
that?” 

‘‘ Yes,” Blue Bonnet answered. She — would 
tell them why. She couldn’t bear to have them 
think her — not loyal. 

Maybe,” Kitty’s gray eyes were full of scorn. 
“ Maybe you have taken French longer than we 
have, but you certainly do not seem to have learned 
the meaning of 'esprit de corps'! Perhaps they 
don’t teach that sort of thing — out in Texas ! ” 

Blue Bonnet drew back as if struck, her face 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


325 


white. She would never tell them her reason now ! 
They could think what they liked. She would 
never speak to Kitty Clark again! 

“ Kitty, how can you I ” Debby cried. “ Blue 
Bonnet! surely you don’t mean that you — ” 

"" Will you please go away ! ” Blue Bonnet broke 
in. 

“I hope you don’t think we intend staying?” 
Kitty answered. “ Perhaps you are wise not to 
risk being sent to Mr. Hunt a second time.” 

One swift, upward flash. Blue Bonnet could not 
help, then she sat quite still looking down at the 
book lying open on the desk before her, with un- 
seeing eyes. She was determined that she would 
not cry. 

It seemed as if noontime would never come; she 
hated the big, busy schoolroom and — everybody 
in it; at least, nearly everybody! Girls were — 
detestable. A boy wouldn’t have said a thing like 
that. If Uncle Cliff could know how mean Kitty 
had been. One thing was sure — they could never 
be friends again. 

‘‘ My dear,” Mrs. Clyde asked, as Blue Bonnet 
came in to lunch, “ what has happened ? ” 

Blue Bonnet tossed her coat and hat on to the 
lounge, and pushed back her hair from her hot face. 
“ Everything has happened ! ” 

‘‘My dear — ” 

“ And I can’t tell you what it is. Grandmother. 


326 A TEXAS ELUE BONNET 


I wish rd never seen the old academy! I can’t 
think how anyone likes going to school ! ” 

But I hoped that the trouble was over, Blue 
Bonnet.” 

It’s only just begun! ” 

'' Then I am afraid that I shall have to ask ques- 
tions, dear.” 

I couldn’t answer them — yet. Please, Grand- 
mother, need I bother with lunch? I’m not hun- 
gry.” 

But Mrs. Clyde was firm on that point; Blue 
Bonnet must eat a proper lunch if she wanted to 
go back to school. 

I don’t want to,” she said, with a little laugh ; 
“ only I’ve just got to, or they would think — ” 
Blue Bonnet hurried through her luncheon in a 
way Aunt Lucinda, had she been there, would 
hardly have countenanced; but when it was over, 
she lingered in the garden with Solomon until there 
was barely time to get back to school. 

There, she went straight to her desk, trying not 
to see the little group gathered about Debby’s seat, 
and scarcely answering Sarah’s remark about the 
club-meeting to-morrow. 

Sarah would think it was her duty to be just 
the same as usual, but she didn’t want ‘‘ duty 
friendliness.” Good; Miss Fellows was going to 
ring for order right now. 

Blue Bonnet was glad that drawing followed 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


327 


immediately; one didn’t have to answer questions 
in drawing, and there was a chance to think. 
Though in this case, thinking only meant going over 
and over the same old road and winding up each 
time at the same high, blank wall. Once, glancing 
up unexpectedly, she found Ruth looking at her in 
a wonder that was half reproach. 

Blue Bonnet dropped her pencil on to the desk 
and turned to the window. Ruth loved law and 
order as she did not, and yet Ruth was prepared 
to act in open defiance of both, in obedience to 
that intangible something called “ class spirit.” 

Blue Bonnet stared at the soft, fleecy clouds 
piling themselves up like great, white snow-drifts. 
Was she wrong after all? 

And then the clouds sent her thoughts back to 
that night on the pond, to the long, weary tramp 
afterwards through real snow-drifts. Was this, 
after all, another sort of dare? Were they — all 
those others, consciously or unconsciously, daring 
her now to break her promise? 

But ‘‘ living straight and true ” could never mean 
breaking one’s word. 

“ Miss Elizabeth ! ” the drawing-master laid a 
hand on her book; he intended criticizing rather 
sharply her work, or, rather, lack of work, but the 
face she turned towards him disarmed him. 

“ Why, you are not even doing your second best,” 
he said, with a smile. 


328 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


) 


‘‘ I beg your pardon, Mr. Post,'’ she answered. 

‘‘We are not studying cloud effects to-day, you 
know,” he suggested. 

“ I was thinking about — something.” Blue 
Bonnet took up her pencil again; fifteen minutes 
more and — 

Debby was signaling to her, doing it rather 
openly, too. Blue Bonnet shook her head, impa- 
tiently. Why wouldn’t they let her alone ? 

“ That will do for to-day,” she heard Mr. Post 
say at last. 

Five minutes later, she found herself out in the 
corridor with the other members of the French 
class. Billy, making elaborate motions to the rest 
to be very cautious, was leading the way towards 
the back stairs; his start of surprise when Blue 
Bonnet took the turn to the little recitation-room 
beyond, oddly enough, was one of the hardest 
things about the whole affair for her. It said so 
plainly that she wes the last girl he would have 
expected to go back on them. 

“ Blue Bonnet,” — Susy, risking detection, had 
slipped after her, putting a hand into hers, — “ Blue 
Bonnet, you don’t understand ! ” 

“ Yes, I do,” Blue Bonnet faced about, meeting 
squarely the surprise, scorn, indignation, and in- 
credulity, in those fourteen pairs of eyes. “ I under- 
stand perfectly.” 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


329 


A moment more and she had closed the door of 
the recitation-room behind her. 

Monsieur was not there yet. From the open 
window came a sound of muffled laughter, sud- 
denly hushed; the class had reached the yard. 

Monsieur was coming now. Blue Bonnet went 
over to her usual place; it didn’t matter if he were 
cross, nothing mattered — now that she was really 
started along the dismal road leading to that dreary 
land called Coventry, — a land that in the old Texas 
days she had never dreamed of even sighting. 

Then the door opened; but it was not Monsieur 
who entered. Blue Bonnet caught her breath at 
sight of Mr. Hunt. 

“ Good afternoon, Elizabeth,” he said, his quick 
glance taking in the empty places ; “I am sorry 
to have kept you waiting. I am taking Madem- 
oiselle’s place to-day.” 

“ Monsieur Hugo is not coming? ” 

No — he is not coming.” Mr. Hunt opened 
the book in his hand. “ The lesson is — ? Or sup- 
pose,” he glanced again at Blue Bonnet’s face, 
suppose we do not take up the regular lesson this 
afternoon — but have a little conversation — in 
French, of course — instead?” 

It was the shortest French recitation the old room 
had ever seen. And it is to be feared that even 
then the teacher did most of the conversing.” 


330 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


When it was over, and they were leaving the 
room together, Mr. Hunt laid a hand for a moment 
on Blue Bonnet’s shoulder. “ They teach you how 
to keep promises out in your beloved Texas, it 
would seem,” he said. 

Blue Bonnet looked up gratefully; at least, he 
understood why she had come. 

Once at home, and there had been no tarrying 
along the way that afternoon, she made straight 
for her room. There Mrs. Clyde found her, lying 
face down on the bed, shaken with sobs, while a 
much distressed small dog did his best to console 
her. 

Sitting down beside the bed. Grandmother drew 
the story from her. I had to do it ! ” Blue Bon- 
net sobbed. But the girls think — If you knew 
what Kitty said ! ” 

“ And I am not to know everything, even yet? ” 
Mrs. Clyde stroked the tumbled hair lovingly. 

‘‘ Uncle Cliff says repeating things like that only 
makes them worse.” 

“ He is quite right, dear ; but in this case — ” 

If I do repeat them. I’ll only feel angrier with 
her than ever — and that’s useless ! ” Blue Bonnet 
dabbed her wet eyes. ‘‘ Everything’s spoiled now. 
Oh, dear, if I just hadn’t run away those times 
last fall, I could have — ” 

'' Disobeyed the rules now ? ” Grandmother sug- 
gested. 


A CLASS AFFAIR 


331 


“Grandmother! Wouldn’t you have gone with 
your class ? ” 

For a moment, Mrs. Clyde said nothing, there 
was a far-away look in her eyes; then she smiled 
softly. “ I suppose I should have, because once 
I — did. But I had not promised. It makes me 
very proud and glad, dear, that you kept yours 
in spite of so much pressure from within, as well 
as without. And everything is not spoiled, you 
will see.” 

Blue Bonnet sat up. “I’m glad it’s Friday! 
Only I wish to-morrow were not club day.” 

“ To-morrow isn’t here yet,” Grandmother 
answered. “ Suppose you go give this forlorn little 
object a run in the garden. He is sharing in all 
the unhappiness, without understanding what it is 
about.” 

“ Dogs never go back on one.” Blue Bonnet gave 
Solomon an affectionate squeeze. 

“ Nor grandmothers,” Mrs. Clyde said. 

“ That’s one of the things that goes without say- 
ing,” Blue Bonnet answered. A good romp with 
Solomon helped to restore her spirits; it did not 
seem, after all, as if things could stay very wrong 
in such a world of March wind and sunshine. 

The sight of Alec coming towards her across the 
lawn brought the doubts back. What would he 
think? 

“ Halloa ! ” Alec called, cheerily, and Blue Bon- 


332 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


net, suddenly on the alert, could detect no change 
in his manner. But perhaps he didn’t know. 

Alec knew, and inwardly was much perplexed; 
however, where one did not understand — in the 
case of a friend like Blue Bonnet — one must go 
by faith. She had some good reason, no doubt 
about it. 

‘‘ Look here,” he said, I’ve evolved a capital 
scheme — I think I shall take up the profession of 
furnishing ideas to the needy. I’ve ’phoned in 
town, and secured a box, and to-morrow the club 
and one or two other persons are to be my guests 
at the j oiliest matinee of the j oiliest play of the 
season. Grandfather’s going to chaperon us. He 
makes the best chaperon going — being at heart 
very much of a boy, — that’s a way they have in 
the army. What do you say ? ” 

'' I can’t say — anything,” Blue Bonnet’s lips 
were trembling. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


COVENTRY 

It was after opening exercises on Monday morn- 
ing, that Mr. Hunt, stepping to the front of the 
platform, announced that the pupils from Miss 
Fellows' room who had absented themselves from 
French on Friday afternoon, were to go to his 
office instead of to their classroom. 

The assembly-room had been very still while the 
principal was speaking, but as he finished a little 
ripple of excitement ran over it, and here and there 
there was a curious turning of heads. Then Miss 
Rankin struck the preliminary chords, and the 
various classes formed into line. 

Blue Bonnet, with Kitty just behind and Ruth 
only two places ahead, was wishing with all her 
heart that presently she too might drop out of line 
with the others. The fourteen had not been the 
only ones towards whom curious glances had been 
turned that morning. “ The girl who had not cut " 
was as much an object of interest as the pupils who 
had; only there had been no sympathy for her. 

That she didn’t look as .if she cared, was' the 
general verdict; Alec, watching her from his cor- 
ner of the big room, knew better. He would have 
333 


334 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


liked to tell those girls what he thought of them — 
it was the girls who were the worst. He was glad 
when opening exercises were over and Blue Bonnet 
had reached the comparative shelter of her class- 
room. 

She was glad, too, though for the moment, in 
spirit at least, she was in the office with the four- 
teen. What would Mr. Hunt say to them? Kitty 
had said once that he could be ‘‘ rather awful.” 
Perhaps Kitty had exaggerated; she had not found 
him so. 

But the young people waiting in the office were 
not so hopeful. 

“ I believe he’s just keeping us waiting on pur- 
pose ! Kitty grumbled, as the moments went by 
and Mr. Hunt did not appear. 

We’ll lose our Latin,” Susy mourned. 

If that’s all we lose, we’ll be mighty lucky,” 
one of the boys told her. 

Kit’s lost her temper already,” Billy Slade 
remarked. 

Why didn’t he tell us he was going to take 
the class Friday afternoon? ” his sister Debby pro- 
tested. ** Then we should have been all right.” 

Hush ! he’s coming ! ” one of the other girls 
warned. 

“ Get out your hankys, young ladies ! ” Billy 
whispered. “ Try and look as penitent as possi- 
ble!” 


COVENTRY 


335 


“ I won’t ! ” Kitty declared. “ I’m not sorry, and 
I won’t say I am ! ” 

You will before he’s through with you, my 
young friend,” Billy retorted. 

Kitty tossed her red head defiantly, but a moment 
later even her courage wavered at sight of Mr. 
Hunt’s face. 

For a moment he said nothing. Then, sitting 
down at his desk, he put one or two direct questions 
to each in turn. After which followed another 
short silence, broken only by the ticking of the 
clock, and from a room below, the sound of chil- 
dren chanting their multiplication table in uni- 
son. 

‘‘ Twice two is four! ” Debby found herself ner- 
vously repeating it with them under her breath. 
Would Mr. Hunt never speak! 

She caught Susy’s eye; Susy was looking peni- 
tent enough to touch a heart of stone, Debby 
thought. So, for that matter, were most of the 
girls. 

Debby began to realize that anything begun in 
haste might require repenting of at leisure. 

And then Mr. Hunt pronounced sentence, prefa- 
cing it first with a few remarks, which, if brief, 
were none the less pointed. 

He considered their recent conduct utterly inex- 
cusable; it had involved not only a wilful and de- 
liberate breaking of rules, but, in intention, great 


336 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


discourtesy and disrespect towards a gentleman 
who was a comparative stranger to them, and, in 
a sense, the guest of the class. 

He should, therefore, suspend them in a body 
for one week; they could report to him, before 
school opened, next Monday morning; also, it being 
an implied condition that all competitors for the 
Sargent should be pupils in good standing, it was 
an open question whether or no they would have 
the right to try for it. He would decide upon 
that later. They were dismissed. 

Out in the yard, fourteen very crestfallen young 
people looked at each other in dismay. 

Not to be allowed to try for the Sargent! Each 
of the fourteen felt an immediate and strong con- 
viction that he or she would have been among the 
prize winners. 

To be suspended for a whole week! 

Ruth mopped her eyes openly. Oh, dear, what 
would her mother and father say! 

“ He certainly can do things up brown, when he 
sets out to,” Billy commented, a rueful note under- 
lying his chuckle. 

Kitty stamped her foot. ‘‘ It isn’t fair ! We had 
every right to do what we did — under the circum- 
stances.” 

Except the right — to do it,” one of the boys 
commented. 

‘‘ How everybody looks at us,” Hester sighed. 


COVENTRY 


337 


I suppose they’re wondering what we are all 
doing out of school at this time of the morning.” 

“ Probably they think we’re delegates to some- 
thing or other,” Billy remarked, chosen on 
account of good conduct.” 

“ Cut it ! ” one of his companions commanded. 

‘‘We did, once,” Debby laughed, “ but we never 
will again.” 

“ It isn’t fair ! ” Kitty repeated ; she hoped her 
father would see it in that light. “ Come on home 
with me, Debby; at any rate, we sha’n’t have to 
study.” 

“ Aren’t you going to try and keep up with the 
class this week?” Hester asked. 

Kitty shrugged. “ Maybe — maybe not. I do 
wish Amanda Parker would go visiting for the 
week,” she confided to Debby, as they turned the 
corner together. “ She’ll be mighty tiresome ! 
She’s such an ‘ I told you so ’ sort of girl.” 

“ Isn’t it queer,” Debby said, “ that Blue Bon- 
net, who dislikes school more than any of us do, 
hasn’t got to — ” 

“ Don’t you mention Blue Bonnet Ashe to me ! ” 
Kitty broke in. “ Horrid little prig I ” 

“You know better, Kitty Clark!” 

“ Then she’s a coward — and that’s even worse.” 

“ Alec says he knows she had some good reason.” 

“ Then it’s the first time she’s ever had a good 
reason for anything. Debby, listen — it’s as I told 


338 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Amanda yesterday, — you’ve got to choose between 
us.” 

Don’t be ridiculous, Kitty ! ” 

Kitty sniffed ; at that moment she resembled 
nothing so much as a porcupine with its quills all 
ready for action. I mean it ! ” she insisted. 

Debby herself was not in her calmest mood; in- 
wardly she very much regretted that rash speech 
of hers which had set this particular ball rolling. 
She wasn’t going to be dictated to by Kitty Clark — 
who was largely to blame for the scrape they were 
in. Then I choose Blue Bonnet,” she said. 

Naturally ! She has so much more to offer.” 

‘‘ In the way of sweet temper — I quite agree 
with you.” 

Kitty slammed the front gate with an energy 
that brought her mother to the door. Mrs. Clark 
was something of an invalid, and her daughter 
had thought it as well not to trouble her with any 
account of Friday’s doings until she found out what 
the consequences were. And a particularly trouble- 
some case had kept the doctor from reading the 
signs of the times. 

But there was no keeping things back any longer, 
and Kitty went promptly to the heart of the matter, 
going into the subject with a fullness and a fluency 
that reduced her mother to the verge of hyster- 
ics. 

‘‘ I don’t know what your father will say ! ” she 


COVENTRY 


339 


cried, eying Kitty in mingled amazement and dis- 
may. Girls never did such things in her day. 

Kitty retired to the old swing on the side piazza. 
There was nothing to be ashamed of — they had 
only stood up for their rights. Try as she would, 
she could not shut out the sight of the pleasant, 
busy classroom, with Blue Bonnet sitting just in 
front of her. It had required some diplomacy to 
effect such an arrangement; Miss Rankin would 
never have allowed it. In her secret heart, Kitty 
had always felt that she stood just a little nearer 
to Blue Bonnet Ashe than any of the other club 
members. 

But of course, all that was changed now. One 
could not be friends with a girl who — 

Kitty gave the swing an impatient push. She 
was glad that she had not gone to the matinee with 
them on Saturday — though Alec had been mighty 
angry with her for holding out ; Blue Bonnet should 
see that they were not all going to — 

She was glad, too, that she had cut short 
Amanda’s enthusiastic account of the afternoon’s 
delights. 

Kitty was not the only one of the fourteen to 
whom the thought of the classroom from which 
they had been exiled had grown suddenly very 
dear. 

On the other hand, their fellow-pupils were giv- 
ing no less thought to them. When recess came« 


340 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


and there was still no sign of them, excitement ran 
high, so did conjecture. 

Blue Bonnet, standing alone quite at the lower 
end of the yard, wondered forlornly if all the 
recesses to come were to be like this? For the 
first time in her life, she had been cut, and by 
more than one schoolmate, and the experience had 
been far from pleasant. 

Sarah, of them all, acted just as usual ; but Sarah 
was — Sarah ; Amanda was clearly on the fence — 
very well, she might stay there. Of her intimates 
among the French class, Ruth and Susy had been 
too absorbed in their own thoughts, during those 
few moments before school opened, to do more 
than say good morning. Debby had barely nodded, 
while Kitty had done neither. 

It was Kitty’s attitude that hurt most. Alec had 
refused to give her Kitty’s reason for not accepting 
his invitation — as if she could not guess, and he 
had managed, for this time, to break down the 
sense of reserve and embarrassment between her- 
self and the other girls. Besides, at the theatre 
one forgot other people. 

But Sunday had not been easy; Blue Bonnet 
had come home from Sunday-school in hardly the 
state of mind her teacher — a gentle little body — 
would have rejoiced in. The talk with Grand- 
mother in the twilight, and Aunt Lucinda’s few 
words of encouragement, had helped some. 


COVENTRY 


341 


But to-day! And there would be all of April 
and May, besides the rest of March and part of 
June, before school closed. 

Blue Bonnet turned to watch a group of chil- 
dren ; they were playing “ The farmer in the dell,” 
and Julia Blake beckoned invitingly to her to come 
make one of the big ring. Any of the little Blakes 
could have told you what a delightful playfellow 
Blue Bonnet was. 

Blue Bonnet shook her head; at another time 
she would have gone readily enough, but no one 
should say she had been forced into finding friends 
among the ‘‘ primaries.” 

Sarah was crossing the yard towards her, while 
midway between Sarah and the open doors, 
Amanda halted, irresolutely. 

Oh, Blue Bonnet ! ” Sarah called. 

Blue Bonnet stood still, her hands behind her. 
‘‘ Duty or choice ? ” she demanded, as Sarah came 
up. 

Sarah looked puzzled. 

“ Did you come because you wanted to, or be- 
cause you didn’t want to ? ” 

Why shouldn’t I want to? ” Sarah looked really 
hurt. 

Blue Bonnet slipped an arm about her. “ Sarah, 
you dear, I might ’ve known you wouldn’t go back 
on me.” 

I don’t think the others have — truly ; you see, 


342 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


from their side of it, it does almost seem as if you 
hadn’t played — quite fair. But I’m sure you 
must ’ve had some reason, and if you would tell 
me what it was, I could — explain.” 

For a moment Blue Bonnet hesitated; so far as 
she knew, only Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda — 
excepting, of course, Mr. Hunt — knew why she 
had not gone with her class. Then she drew her- 
self up; if they couldn’t take her on trust — as 
Alec and Sarah had — 

Is that what you wanted me for? ” she asked. 

Partly ; but I thought you might like to hear 
about the rest. Miss Fellows just told me they 
are suspended for a week — ” 

“ It seems to me that that is what you might call 
putting a premium on crime,” Blue Bonnet com- 
mented ; a whole week’s vacation — which is what 
it would really amount to. 

“Blue Bonnet!” 

“Is that all Mr. Hunt did?” 

“ All! ” Sarah gasped. “ It’s about as bad as it 
can be; but, in addition, they may not be allowed 
to try for the Sargent.” 

“ I suppose they will mind that — after worrying 
so to get their subjects, but I reckon only Hester 
stood any chance — among the girls.” 

Sarah looked utterly bewildered. “ Blue Bonnet, 
you are so — ” 

“ So what ? There’s the bell ! ” 


COVENTRY 


343 


All in all, Blue Bonnet found that week a long 
one; she drew a deep breath of relief when Friday 
afternoon came. 

Ruth and Susy had not been in town since Mon- 
day, and she had seen nothing of them. Debby, 
when she had met her on the street, had been fairly 
friendly; that she had not been more so, was per- 
haps as much Blue Bonnet’s fault as hers. Kitty 
would have been openly unfriendly had Blue Bon- 
net given her the opportunity. Amanda was still 
on the fence. 

There had been no difference in Sarah’s manner ; 
and Alec was just as usual, but seeing much of 
Alec meant seeing more or less of Boyd, and Blue 
Bonnet, try as she might, could not like Boyd. 

One bright spot, or rather three, the week had 
held for her; Mademoiselle had been able to take 
up her work again, and Mademoiselle had seemed 
to understand. She had asked no inconvenient 
questions, made no embarrassing references to the 
absent members. 

For that matter. Miss Fellows had been mighty 
kind, too; when one came to think of it, all the 
grown-ups had behaved beautifully. 

Nevertheless, it was a rather depressed Blue 
Bonnet who walked slowly up the broad street that 
Friday afternoon. She was homesick for the gay 
times, the old comradeship. The sight of those 
empty places in the classroom made her inexpres- 


344 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


sibly lonesome. There had been no Debby to signal 
messages to her right under Miss Fellows' very 
nose, no Kitty to whisper provoking little speeches 
that simply had to be answered. That her deport- 
ment for the week had reached the high water 
mark gave small comfort; she would have willingly 
sacrificed any number of credit marks on the altar 
of good fellowship. 

And next week it would probably be even worse. 

In the meantime, what should she do with her 
afternoon? Alec had gone in town with his cousin; 
she might ride, but riding alone — from necessity — 
was horrid. Sarah's patient old nag was only at 
Sarah's disposal on Saturday afternoons. 

‘‘ Grandmother," Blue Bonnet asked, coming into 
the sitting-room, “may I have the phaeton?" 

“ Certainly, dear," Mrs. Clyde glanced at the 
girl's listless face a little anxiously. She, too, was 
glad the week was over; next week must be better. 

“ I might as well take Sarah driving. I don't 
suppose Denham would trust me with both the 
horses." 

“ Probably not." 

“ And he's sure to give me ‘ Peter the Poke' ! " 

“ Poor old Peter ! " Grandmother laughed. “ To 
think he should have lived to be spoken of in that 
fashion." 

“ Sooner or later, we are apt to get what we 
deserve," Miss Lucinda remarked. “ Blue Bonnet, 


COVENTRY 


345 


suppose you stop at Mrs. Morrow’s and find out 
when you are to go for your fittings?” 

Blue Bonnet sighed. It would save a heap of 
trouble, Aunt Lucinda, if we would just take a 
day off, and go in town and buy everything I 
need ready-made” 

“ Perhaps, but saving trouble is not the chief 
end of man, my dear.” 

“ More than of most women, I reckon,” Blue 
Bonnet answered. 

Miss Lucinda let that pass; she had let more 
than one thing pass the last week. ‘‘ Don’t be late 
getting back,” she warned, as Blue Bonnet turned 
away. Remember, Mr. and Mrs. Blake are com- 
ing to tea.” 

‘‘ I’ll be on time,” Blue Bonnet promised. 

Sarah looked both pleased and doubtful when 
Blue Bonnet, drawing up before the parsonage 
gate, called to her to get her hat and come on; but 
with her mother downing objections as fast as they 
were raised, there was nothing for it but to yield. 

They went out along the turnpike, striking as 
brisk a pace as Peter would consent to, — which 
was not so brisk as to cause Sarah any very serious 
tremors, — turning off after a while into a winding 
country lane that had a pleasant, aimless air about 
it. Peter disapproved of that lane ; he had a 
chronic objection to getting muddy and uncomfort- 
able. If that headstrong young person at the other 


346 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


end of the reins had but consulted him first, he 
could have told her what a country lane was like 
at this season of the year. 

But if it was muddy underfoot, it was delightful 
overhead, with the soft wind driving the fleeciest 
of white clouds across the bluest of Spring skies, 
and reminding Blue Bonnet of ships at sea. Grad- 
ually her face lost its troubled look, as she leaned 
back in the phaeton, her hat off, the little curls 
blown back from her forehead. Sarah was not a 
bad companion on a drive like this; Kitty would 
have fussed about going so slowly, but, after all, 
poor old Peter was doing his best. 

She and Sarah were both inclined to be rather 
silent; school and club-meetings were both subjects 
to be avoided. Carita Judson proved a safe topic. 
Blue Bonnet had had a letter from her the other 
day; there was always the ranch. 

Suddenly, Sarah found herself wishing that Blue 
Bonnet were not going back to it in June, she should 
miss her very much. It was too bad this school 
trouble had come up; perhaps now. Blue Bonnet 
would not want to return in the fall. 

Sarah tried, not very successfully, to imag- 
ine what it would be like — doing just as one 
pleased. 

/‘But,’' her companion protested, as she voiced 
this thought, “ I don’t ! ” 

“You do — more than anyone I’ve ever known 


COVENTRY 


347 


before. ‘^It’s queer, but it doesn’t seemed to have — 
spoiled you.” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “ You are forgetting to 
make allowance for my naturally angelic disposi- 
tion. I’m afraid Aunt Lucinda wouldn’t agree with 
you, though.” 

‘‘But you like it here?” 

“I — did. You see, when one can’t do what 
one likes, one must like what one can do.” 

“ Y — yes,” Sarah agreed, wonderingly. “ I 
never supposed you looked at things like that.” 

“ Another dream shattered ? ” Blue Bonnet 
laughed again. “ Case in point ; I’d like awfully 
to go on indefinitely along this jolly little lane, that 
doesn’t belong by right to Woodford at all — it’s 
so meandering and ambitionless — but instead, I’m 
going home.” 

“ It’s been a lovely ride,” Sarah answered ; not 
so very long before she would have said — very 
pleasant. 

It was not until she had left Sarah at her own 
gate that Blue Bonnet remembered her errand at 
the dressmaker’s. 

Mrs. Morrow lived quite at the far end of the 
street, in a quaint, old-fashioned little house; alto- 
gether too pleasant, in Blue Bonnet’s opinion, to be 
the home of anyone who followed the trade of 
dressmaking, and gave people fittings. 

The big tiger-cat, enjoying the evening on the 


348 A TEXAS ELUE BONNET 


doorstep, came down the path to meet Blue Bonnet, 
arching her back, and purring loudly; while in the 
doorway, Netty Morrow, Mrs. Morrow’s niece, 
was standing. 

“ My aunt’s been looking for you before this, 
Miss Blue Bonnet,” she said ; “ she’s gone out 
now — but you’re to come try on Monday after- 
noon without fail.” 

** I did forget that last time, truly,” Blue Bonnet 
apologized. 

Netty led the way into the sewing-room, picking 
up one of Blue Bonnet’s new skirts. “ I should 
think you’d be feeling fine — having so many pretty 
things all at once.” 

‘‘ But I don’t get them all at once ! I wish dresses 
could grow from seeds ! ” 

** Well of all the queer ideas ! ” 

“Are you going out?” Blue Bonnet asked, as 
Netty took up her hat. “ It’s lovely out.” 

Netty pointed to several parcels lying on the 
table. “ I have to take them home. Miss.” 

“Could I leave them for you?” 

The other looked surprised. But why not? It 
wouldn’t hurt Blue Bonnet to make herself a bit 
useful for once; they wouldn’t take her much out 
of the way, and it would leave Netty herself all 
the more time for her own new blouse. 

“ You are sure you don’t mind ? ” she asked. 

“Of course I don’t,” Blue Bonnet answered. 


COVENTRY 


349 


We'd better put them into the phaeton box,” she 
added, as she and Netty and the parcels went down 
the box-bordered path together. She felt grateful 
to Netty for accepting her offer; it was good to 
be doing something for somebody, one didn't feel 
so out in the cold. 

You're quite sure you understand where they're 
to go? '' she heard Netty asking, and came back to 
things practical. 

‘‘ Don’t you worry,” she laughed ; “ they’ll get 
there all right.” 

‘‘ But you’ll have to do your best, Peter ! ” she 
warned, as they started, “ or we’ll be late home.” 
And Peter, mindful of the nearness of the supper 
hour, did do his best. 

Blessed be back stairs ! ” Blue Bonnet told 
Solomon, as he scampered up ahead of her on her 
return home. 

But if Blue Bonnet came down rather flushed 
and breathless, and not altogether on time, Mrs. 
Blake, arriving at that moment with her husband, 
was even more so. “ I know we are late,” she 
apologized to Mrs. Clyde and Miss Lucinda, but 
it was quite — unavoidable. I — I was detained — 
most unexpectedly — at the last moment.” 

And in spite of Grandmother’s assurances that 
it did not signify in the least, Mrs. Blake continued 
to look flushed, and, it seemed to Blue Bonnet, 
disappointed. 


350 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


The next morning, Miss Lucinda came in to 
where Blue Bonnet was practising. “ Denham 
found this in the phaeton box just now. Do you 
know anything about it ? '* She held out a flat 
parcel. 

Blue Bonnet stared at the limp, brown-paper par- 
cel as if spellbound. “ Know anything about it I ” 
she had caught the parcel from her aunt’s hand 
and was out of the room by now. ‘‘ It’s Mrs. 
Blake’s new silk waist ! ” came back from the hall. 

Then the front door slammed. 


CHAPTER XIX 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 

'T'm mighty glad it wasn’t something belonging 
to Mr. Blake,” Blue Bonnet rejoiced, hurrying bare- 
headed down the street to the parsonage; I would 
have hated having to explain to him ! ” 

She understood now why Mrs. Blake had looked 
so flushed and disappointed the evening before; 
probably, she had set her heart on having her new 
waist to wear. 

‘‘ Oh, dear ! ” Blue Bonnet sighed ; and she was 
so tragic in her request to see Mrs. Blake at once 
that Lydia, who opened the door, thought some- 
thing dreadful must have happened at the Clyde 
place, and led the way directly to the kitchen, 
where her mother was kneading bread. 

You can’t imagine what I’ve come to tell you I ” 
Blue Bonnet laid the brown-paper parcel on the 
table beside the big bread-pan. “ Nor how sorry 
I am ! ” 

'' Bring Blue Bonnet a chair, Lydia,” Mrs. Blake 
said, looking at the parcel in surprise. “ You will 
excuse me if I go on with what I am doing, my 
dear? ” 


35^1 


352 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ I’m afraid it is you who will not want to for- 
give me ! ” Blue Bonnet plunged into the full tide 
of confession, explanation, and apology; with the 
result that presently her listener — who had really 
been greatly disappointed at the non-appearance of 
the waist at the promised time, — new waists were 
rare events at the parsonage, — found herself called 
upon to play the part of comforter; Blue Bonnet’s 
distress of mind was so evident. 

But it does matter ! ” Blue Bonnet insisted. 
“ It matters very much ! I can’t think how I — ” 
she broke off abruptly; through the one door, lead- 
ing to the dining-room, she caught sight of Debby. 
Debby’s head was down on the table, her shoulders 
shaking convulsively. 

As Blue Bonnet stopped speaking, she looked 
up. I couldn’t help hearing ; and — and it was 
so like you. Blue Bonnet Ashe! Oh, dear, I can’t 
help it 1 ” Debby’s head went down again. 

D — don’t ! ” Blue Bonnet implored ; it would 
be adding insult to injury for her to laugh, but if 
Debby didn’t stop — 

Suppose you go in the other room with Debby,” 
Mrs. Blake suggested ; she knew all about the events 
of the past week ; she was glad Debby had happened 
to be there. 

And the next moment, Blue Bonnet and Debby 
found themselves sitting side by side on the shabby 
old sofa. 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 353 


“ Will you look at this ! ” Debby held up the rag 
doll she was stuffing for Trotty Blake. “ IVe done 
my best with the old thing, and she keeps getting 
lumpier and lumpier ! ” 

It was Blue Bonnet who went off into a gale of 
laughter this time. She looks like our Lisa, at 
home! And Lisa looks like a pillow with a string 
tied — not too tightly — about the middle.” 

When Sarah came down she found the two chat- 
ting away as pleasantly as ever. 

Have you any bright pieces ? ” Blue Bonnet 
asked. “ We’re going to dress Trotty a Mexican 
doll.” 

‘‘ I’ll ask mother if we may have the piece-bag,” 
Lydia offered. 

Before Blue Bonnet realized it, it was dinner 
time and Julia had begun to lay the table; she 
jumped up in dismay. “ I only meant to stay a 
few moments! What will Aunt Lucinda say? I 
was right in the middle of practising.” 

Visions of an undusted parlor, of Grandmother 
waiting patiently for her and her mending-basket, 
rose before her. 

“ It had to be in the middle of something, hadn’t 
it ? ” Debby laughed. 

But you are both to stay to dinner with us,” 
Mrs. Blake said, coming in ; I’m sending word 
by Lydia now.” 

Oh, I would love to do that ! ” Blue Bonnet 


354 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


exclaimed ; it would be fun making part of a 
family, if only for a day. 

“ I wish I had five little sisters ! ” she told Sarah, 
sitting on the bed in the latter’s room. “ It must 
be lovely, having someone to share your room with 
you.” 

Sarah, conscious of certain unexpressed longings 
for a room all to herself, — Julia was so untidy, — 
only smiled by way of answer. 

“ How about the club this afternoon ? ” Debby 
asked, from the washstand. '' Are we meeting 
here, or at Blue Bonnet’s ? ” 

Blue Bonnet turned suddenly to look out of the 
window, while Sarah answered, hurriedly. “ Let’s 
make it a walking meeting, it’s too nice to stay 
indoors. Father’s going out by the Doyles’ after 
dinner; I’ll ask him to tell Ruth and Susy to meet 
us at the cross-roads.” 

“ Kitty can’t go, she’s off with the doctor for 
the day,” Debby said; ‘‘it’s Amanda’s treat. I’ll 
run around there after dinner and remind her. 
Sarah, I never knew that the view from your back 
window was so absorbing.” 

“Didn’t you?” Blue Bonnet asked. “I think 
back yards are more interesting than front ones. 
Sarah, I wish I had remembered to ask Lydia to 
bring my hat back with her.” There was a happy 
ring in Blue Bonnet’s voice ; the “ We are Seven’s ” 
were to have their meeting; and perhaps if Kitty 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 355 


hadn’t gone with her father, she would have gone 
with them. Her week was not turning out so 
badly, after all. 

She thoroughly enjoyed that far from quiet 
family dinner; helping Sarah with the dishes after- 
wards was fun too, so was helping clean up the 
younger children for the afternoon. 

Then Debby called to them from downstairs that 
she and Amanda were tired of waiting, and pres- 
ently the four were off through the garden and out 
the back way. 

If Blue Bonnet had forgotten about her hat. Miss 
Lucinda had not; Lydia had reappeared with the 
hat and Solomon, — the latter self-invited. Solo- 
mon was dancing on ahead now, the happiest small 
dog in the township. 

At the cross-roads, they found Ruth and Susy 
waiting. “We’ve been here the longest time!” 
Susy told them. And in the pleasure felt by all 
six at being together again, and out in the open, 
the troubles and misunderstandings of the past few 
days were ignored by common consent. Even 
Amanda found courage to come down from her 
fence, on the right side; and when she explained 
that the box she carried contained fresh fudge made 
that morning, thereby admitting that she had ex- 
pected the club to meet as usual, it was felt that 
she had made the amende honorable; and not only 
that, but excellent fudge as well. 


356 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


They had a long, rambling tramp, coming back 
a bit muddy and a good deal tired, to the cross- 
roads, where Ruth and Susy were to leave them. 
Just then Dr. Clark drove by, Kitty in the gig 
beside him. 

Good afternoon,” he called out, barely drawing 
rein. “Are you a party of walking delegates?” 
But Kitty, with one brief, comprehensive glance 
at the group in the road, sat looking straight before 
her. 

“ Well! ” Debby remarked, as the doctor drove 
on. 

Amanda looked uncomfortable; there were times 
when living next door to Kitty had its disadvan- 
tages, and this was going to be one of them. 

“ It is to be hoped,” Debby went on, “ that our 
young friend climbs down from her high horse be- 
fore Monday morning.” 

“ We really must be going on,” Sarah said. 

The rest of the walk was a silent one. Sarah 
and Blue Bonnet were the last to separate; as they 
stopped at the Clyde gate, Sarah said, a little hesi- 
tatingly, “ Fm sorry — it happened. Blue Bonnet ; 
but Kitty doesn't mean all she does — or says ; I 
daresay she's sorry too, by now.” 

“ It doesn't matter,” Blue Bonnet answered, turn- 
ing to go in ; then she came back. “ That wasn't 
true, it does matter ! And — and you've been 
awfully good to me all this week, Sarah ; I'll never. 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 357 


never forget it ! ” Leaning over the gate, she gave 
Sarah a hasty good night kiss, and ran off up the 
walk. 

Mrs. Clyde and Miss Lucinda were out making 
calls, Delia told her. I hope,” she added, a laugh 
in her kind, Irish-gray eyes, “ that you’ll be finding 
the parlor dusted to your liking, miss.” 

Blue Bonnet laughed. “If Aunt Lucinda was 
suited, I am. Thank you so much, Delia.” 

She was waiting on the veranda when the car- 
riage drew up before the steps a few moments 
later I’m glad you’re not going to make a formal 
call h^ffe,” she told Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda; 
“ and for once, I got home first.” 

“ You left first,” Miss Lucinda answered. 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes danced. “ But you see, I just 
had to get Mrs. Blake’s waist home; it was con- 
siderably overdue as it was.” 

Grandmother sat down on one of the veranda 
benches. “ What I don’t understand is how it came 
to be in your possession.” 

Blue Bonnet came to sit at the other end of the 
bench. “ I begin to think I was born to trouble ; 
and my intentions — in this case, at least — were 
so good. Netty Morrow would have had ever so 
long a walk, and there was Peter and the phaeton. 
I got the other two home all right; I can’t under- 
stand how I came to miss that one. Mrs. Blake 
was awfully nice about it. I think she was simply 


35 " 

358 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


born to be a minister’s wife, she makes such a 
beautiful one.” 

But Blue Bonnet,” Miss Lucinda was looking 
grave, try and put yourself in Mrs. Blake’s place ; 
how would you have liked being disappointed ? ” 

“ If I were Mrs. Blake, I suppose I wouldn’t have 
liked it, Aunt Lucinda. Though I don’t see but 
what she looked very nice; and she’s got the new 
one all fresh for the next being asked out to tea. 
We might ask her again right soon, and then she 
could wear it here.” 

Miss Lucinda sighed. 

“ And anyhow, if it hadn’t happened thilT way, 
I shouldn’t have gone to Sarah’s like I did, and 
met Debby, and had such a nice day, every moment 
of it until — And Delia did my dusting, and I’ll 
finish practising and do my mending this eve- 
ning.” 

Don’t you want to stop and take breath, dear? ” 
Grandmother asked. ‘‘ We are very glad you have 
had a pleasant day; though another time, it might 
be just as well not to leave in ^ite such a hurry. 
As for the evening, Alec expects you over there. 
There is the hint of dancing, in a very small and 
very early affair, Alec assured me.” 

How lovely ! ” Blue Bonnet’s eyes danced more 
than ever. 

And there is a letter for you on the sitting- 
room mantel,” Aunt Lucinda told her. 


/ 


ON RELATIVES 359 


.ter was from Cousin Honor ia Winthrop. 
iiey had hoped to have the pleasure of a short 
visit froni their little Texas relative long before this, 
but various matters had combined to prevent their 
being able to invite her ; however, they trusted that 
she would be able to come to them frorT Friday 
until Monday, of the following week. 

“Will it be jolly, Solomon, or won’t it?” Blue 
Bonnet asked, slipping the letter back into its en- 
velope. “ ' whole days p/,id two parts of days 

with the Boston relatives; ‘‘t sounds a bit scare- 

c » 

and Grandmother were walking 
down the veranda ; Sunday was 
Bonnet was thinking, and the 
e had been hoping all day would 
ened. It had not seemed pos- 
51 1^^^ ^ let this first day of a new 

week go uj some effort towards a 

reconciliation. . ’^uld have been so willing 

to meet her halfway, to forgive tiTose unkind 
speeches and all the slights since, including that of 
yesterday afternoon — if only Kitty had asked her 
to. 

Mr. Blake had preached on charity that morning; 
he had not been nearly so dull and prosy as usual ; 
and Kitty had been there. How could Kitty feel 
it her Christian duty not to want to be friends? 


360 A TEXAS BLU" 


If only all the “ We are Seven’s ” could at 
to-morrow morning, letting bygones be bygones. 

Blue Bonnet looked wistfully off across the broaa 
lawn, in all its Spring greenness, to the quiet street, 
lying bright and deserted in .the afternoon sunlight. 
Woodford always seemed a little different on Sun- 
days from other days ; there seemed a sort of hush 
over everything. Just a moment before. Grand- 
mother had quoted George Herbert’s line — 

‘ Sweet day, so cool, so calm, to bright,’ ” 

Charity suffereth long, and is ki' 

Bonnet wished the words would not 
through her thoughts. She felt th'/ 
fered long, very long; and she 
ing to be “kind.” 

“ . . . seeketh not her own^ 
voked.” Perhaps she had ^ 
provoke, “ . . . endureth 2J .. 

things wasn’t her strong jV '' certain. 

“Grandmother,” BlujX , ^^ch as she 

had said it that August evening on this same 
veranda, “it is very uncomfortable — not being 
friends with people.” 

“ Then why not try to put an end to the dis- 
comfort, dear?” 

“ But — ” 

“After all, there is something to be said on 
Kitty s side, you know. Suppose someone whom 


THE BOSTON Ri 


you liked and trusted quite unexpe 
thing directly contrary to what you c 
and loyal, wouldn’t you think you ha 
know the reason why?” 

But I would have told her, only she sa 

‘‘ I can easily imagine what she said, jus 
can easily imagine how often since then she ■ 
wished that she had not said it.” 

“ Then why hasn’t she come and told me so? ” 

I can imagine the answer to that too. But 
because Kitty is willing to let a little false pride 
stand in the way of friendship, is no reason that 
you do the same.” 

Two or three more turns Blue Bonnet took, then 
she came to a sudden halt. “ I reckon I should 
have told her why I couldn’t go with the class! 
I — I’ll go do it — right now.” 

“ Not at too quick a pace on Sunday afternoon, 
dear,” Grandmother warned, and Blue Bonnet tried 
to moderate her steps accordingly. 

Then, just as she was turning Kitty’s corner, she 
came plump upon Kitty herself. 

‘‘ I was coming to — ” Blue Bonnet began, 
hastily. 

‘‘ So was I — ” Kitty cut in. 

‘‘ To tell you why I didn’t — ” 

To tell you that I know now why you 
didn’t — ” 

Then they both stopped to laugh, after which they 


J BLUE BONNET 


j the street together, arm in arm, in 

y hope that Mr. Hunt doesn’t make us 
, t ” Kitty said. “ Blue Bonnet, when I 
of the hateful things I said — ” 

Please, let’s not think about them! You 
ouldn’t ’ve, only — ” 

But Kitty was not to be shut off in that fashion. 
“ The ‘ rankin’ officer ’ told Alec — she’s known all 
about Mr. Hunt’s putting you on your honor that 
time, and she’s been keeping her weather-eye open 
lately; Alec came and told me. Oh, it has been 
the longest, dreariest week! Yesterday, I made 
papa take me with him, on purpose to avoid the 
club meeting; and then, coming home, he — Were 
you ever lectured in a gig, Blue Bonnet ? ” 

‘‘ No,” Blue Bonnet laughed. 

Nor out of one, I imagine. Then we met you 
girls, and you looked as if you had been having 
such a good time, and that made me crosser than 
ever.” 

Blue Bonnet came home, the last shadow lifted; 
it was all right again with the ‘‘ We are Seven’s,” 
and to-morrow those empty places in the school- 
room would be filled once more. And Alec knew 
now; she couldn’t help being glad of that. 

She found him on the veranda with Grand- 
mother. “ Shake ! ” he said, holding out his hand. 
He smiled over at Mrs. Clyde. ‘‘ She’s a very 


THE BOSTON R. 


foolish girl, isn’t she ? ” he said ; 
plucky one.” 

She looks to me like a very happy 
Clyde answered. 

Blue Bonnet started for school at the usui. 
the next morning. Near the building she met 
Slade. “ See here,” he said, ‘‘ why on earth dia 
you let on, and not let folks go thinking all sort, 
of nonsense?” 

“ They didn’t have to think nonsense, did they ? 
Where’s Debby?” 

Gone on to the reception ; she went early, so 
as to get a back seat.” 

“Will it be very — ?” Blue Bonnet asked, sym- 
pathetically. 

“ I can tell you better about that later on.” Billy 
turned towards the front entrance, leading up to 
Mr. Hunt’s office. 

In the office, he found the rest of the fourteen 
waiting, and chiefly occupied with the question — 
Would Mr. Hunt keep them until after opening 
exercises, or would he allow them to join their class 
before school began? 

“ It’s worse than waiting at the dentist’s,” Ruth 
sighed. 

“ He’s coming no\V ! ” one of the boys called, 
softly, from his place near the door, and Mr. Hunt 
came in. 

Fourteen pairs of eyes were lifted to his, more 


.‘BLUE BONNET 


ly. But he was not very hard on 
^rning. A few grave words of advice 
0 listen to ; to promise, each in turn, that 
.ould be no more cutting of classes on their 
Then Mr. Hunt said that in regard to the 
gent, he was still undecided; it would depend 
.gely upon the promptitude with which they made 
up the lessons for the past week. 

That means we can try, doesn’t it?” Hester 
said, as they were on their way to their class-room. 
I’m glad I’ve kept up.” 

“ The old boy’s a trump ! ” one of the boys said. 
I thought we were out of that for good.” 

“ Make up all those lessons ! ” Blue Bonnet sym- 
pathized, as Kitty told her what Mr. Hunt had said. 

‘‘It lets the ‘jolly good it in for a lot, doesn’t 
it?” Kitty commented. ‘H’m glad it isn’t the 
‘ rankin’ officer ’ ! Making lessons up with her 
wasn’t always a summer-day’s picnic ! ” 

“ I think Miss Rankin was ever so nice — gen- 
erally.” 

“ She was — to you ! ” Kitty slipped into her 
seat. “ My, it’s good to be back ! ” 

Before the end of the day was reached, the gates 
of Coventry had closed behind Blue Bonnet. 

“ One wouldn’t exactly suppose you hated school 
now ! ” Alec remarked, overtaking her on the way 
home. “ It had begun to look as though you would 
never get rid of your body-guard.” 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 365 


“I don’t hate it — now.” It occurred to Blue 
Bonnet that Alec was looking — not precisely tired, 
but as if things were a bit twisted. ‘‘ How are you 
getting on with your paper?” she asked. 

“ I have all my notes ready. It ought not to 
take very long to write it.” 

Is Boyd trying?” 

“ I don’t know. He hasn’t said.” 

‘‘ I’m going to Boston on Friday, to stay until 
Monday morning; it’ll be the first time I’ve been 
away over night since I came to Woodford.” 

“To stay with the Boston relatives?” 

Blue Bonnet nodded. “ I wonder will they be 
very — Bostony.” 

“ They won’t be anything else ; but they might 
be worse. Suppose we have a walk in honor of 
the great event? Just by our twosomes.” 

“You wouldn’t rather ride?” 

“ Boyd’s bespoken Victor.” 

And it occurred to Blue Bonnet that Boyd was 
getting more good out of Victor these Spring after- 
noons than Alec was. “ He rides Victor too hard,” 
she said; “ I’d just like to get Uncle Joe Terry after 
him — he would tell him a few things.” 

“ He rides a good many things too hard,” Alec 
said. “Will you be long?” 

“ Only long enough to leave my books and re- 
port to the commanding officer,” Blue Bonnet an- 
swered. 


366 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ And what will the club do without you on 
Saturday?” Alec asked, as they set out. 

“Just that — I reckon.” 

There was considerable protest among the six, 
when it was known that their president intended 
leaving them for so long; they flatly refused to 
hold a meeting without her. “ It wouldn’t be any 
fun ! ” Debby declared. 

They were down at the station in a body to see 
her off; very much as if she were going on a real 
journey. “ Which is what she will be doing before 
long,” Susy said, watching the train draw out; “ so 
we’d better make the most of her while she’s here.” 

“ Like last week ? ” Sarah asked, with such un- 
usual spirit that the others stared at her in aston- 
ishment. 

“ Good for you, Sallykins ! ” Kitty commented. 
“You’re coming on!” 

Blue Bonnet, seated beside Aunt Lucinda, and 
rejoicing as she always did in the swift sense of 
motion, was thinking herself that girls were queer; 
last week, they would hardly speak to her; this 
week, they couldn’t be friendly enough. 

“ I’ll have to take an early train Monday morn- 
ing, won’t I ? ” she said, turning to her aunt. 

“ The 7.45 from town.” 

“ I hope I don’t oversleep ! ” 

“ Your Cousin Honoria will not let you lose your 
train, my dear.” 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 367 


I wish you were going to stay too,” Blue Bon- 
net said. After all, the Boston cousins were little 
more than strangers to her, and very elderly. 

You are not afraid of being homesick? ” But 
Miss Lucinda looked pleased. 

I believe I am.” And when, later, the cab drew 
up before the rather somber-looking old house on 
Beacon Street, Blue Bonnet was quite sure of it. 

But in spite of those first misgivings. Blue Bonnet 
thoroughly enjoyed her visit to her elderly rela- 
tives; they were so anxious that she should be 
happy while she was with them that that in itself 
went far towards counteracting that first sense of 
strangeness. 

“ And what should you like to do this morning, 
Sehorita?” Cousin Tracy asked, at breakfast on 
Saturday morning; the evening before had been 
devoted to what Cousin Honoria called getting 
acquainted.” 

‘‘ I should love,” — Blue Bonnet looked from one 
to another of the three with that quick smile of 
hers, which seemed taking for granted perfect 
agreement with her wishes, — ‘‘I should just love to 
go all about Boston in one of those big sight-seeing 
motors.” 

There was a moment^s silence ; it seemed to Miss 
Augusta that the very portraits on the wall looked 
horrified. 


368 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Uncle Cliff meant to take me when he was on 
last winter,” Blue Bonnet explained in blissful un- 
consciousness, but we didn’t get ’round to it.” 

Miss Honoria and Miss Augusta looked at their 
brother; as the man of the family, it was his place 
to deal with such an unlooked-for emergency. 

“ We will go, by all means,” Cousin Tracy 
answered ; he abhorred motor cars, and now he was 
called upon to spend his morning riding about 
Boston in a public one! Young people nowadays 
had the most extraordinary ideas. 

“ Perhaps your aunts would like to join us,” he 
suggested. 

But the sisters, it appeared, had various duties 
on hand, which would prevent their going pleas- 
uring that morning. 

Strangely enough, Mr. Winthrop really enjoyed 
his morning. Blue Bonnet’s interest in everything 
was refreshing, her point of view, her own. On 
the whole, she was pleased to approve of his city, 
as a city. 

I’ve learned a lot of history,” she announced 
at the luncheon table. ‘‘ It was ever so interesting 
really seeing Bunker Hill! But what queer little 
narrow streets you have in ever so many places! 
I suppose, when they first laid Boston out, they 
didn’t realize how much was going to happen here. 
Cousin Tracy’s going to take me to the Library 
this afternoon; I’ve been there before, but I reckon 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 369 


one could go there every time one came to Boston. 
Take it all around, Boston is considerable of a 
town, isn’t it?” 

“ Boston considerable of a — ” Miss Augusta 
repeated, helplessly. She glanced at her brother, 
but Mr. Winthrop did not look in the least dis- 
mayed; on the contrary, he appeared to be enjoying 
himself exceedingly. 

The afternoon was given to the Library, with, 
later, a walk on the Common. In the evening. 
Cousin Honoria and Cousin Augusta took their 
young guest to a concert. Blue Bonnet went to 
bed feeling that she had been quite dissipated. 

The next day was a truly April day; showery 
enough by afternoon to keep people indoors, — 
anyone, that is, who happened to be visiting the 
Boston relatives, — but with sweet, damp odors 
coming from the Common in to Blue Bonnet 
through her open window, as she sat writing to 
Uncle Cliff, and thinking a little longingly of the 
broad veranda at Woodford, the big, pleasant 
garden, fast putting on its Spring dress. How 
could people be content to live their lives out in 
cities ? 

Cousin Honoria and Cousin Augusta were taking 
the daily nap that only a family crisis had power to 
prevent ; Cousin Tracy was in the library when Blue 
Bonnet came down. 

“ I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind showing 


370 A TEXAS BLUE BONXET 


me your collections? ” she asked. “ And don’t you 
think we might get a walk later ? I think being out 
in the rain is fun.” 

I wonder if I did at sixteen?” Cousin Tracy 
answered, laying down his book, and going to open 
the doors of the tall cabinets where he kept his col- 
lections of rare coins and medals. 

The medals interested Blue Bonnet more than the 
coins ; they had been won by someone ; each in itself 
represented some deed of daring, some act of cour- 
age. “ Every one has its own story, hasn’t it ? ” she 
said. 

‘‘ Yes,” Mr. Winthrop replied, with the same 
theme as a foundation.” 

‘‘ I wish you could tell me some of them.” 

I wish I could tell them to myself. And on the 
other side, think how many stories there are — to 
which there are no medals attached.” 

You mean? ” 

Mr. Winthrop sat down in the big chair oppo- 
site. The rain had stopped, and through the wide 
bow-window came a sudden flash of sunshine, 
lighting up the sober room, and turning the bronze 
medal in Blue Bonnet’s hand to gold. You know 
the story of the Alamo?” he said. 

I could not be a Texas girl and not know it,” 
Blue Bonnet answered, — she could hardly remem- 
ber when her father had first told it to her. 

There is a story to stir the hearts of men for 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 371 


all time ! I should like an ‘ Alamo medal ’ to put 
among these others.’^ 

“ And they must have had them, if — I see now 
what you meant, Cousin Tracy.” 

‘‘ Did you know that among those men was one 
whose father had been a Woodford man? A dis- 
tant connection of the family, at that?” 

Blue Bonnet shook her head. I never knew 
that.” 

‘‘ Woodford should be proud of him. Not a bad 
subject for a Sargent, eh?” 

It seemed to Blue Bonnet, that if all roads led 
to Rome, most subjects nowadays led up, sooner 
or later, to the Sargent. “ Then you know about 
the Sargent competition?” she asked. 

“ My dear Sehorita, could one have relatives in 
Woodford, and not know of it?” 

‘‘And you feel that way about it, too? Oh, I 
am glad ! ” 

Mr. Winthrop smiled slightly. “ I have some- 
times thought that if I lived in Woodford, I might 
be tempted to feel that way about it.” 

Blue Bonnet smiled across at him in per- 
fect understanding. “ Fm not going to try, you 
know.” 

“Ah!” Then Cousin Tracy’s face sobered; 
Lucinda would not at all approve of the turn the 
conversation was taking. 

“Isn’t that a mistake?” he asked. “Will not 


372 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


your grandmother and aunt be disappointed if you 
do not try ? ” 

“ That’s the worst of it,” Blue Bonnet admitted. 
‘‘ Somehow, not doing the things that perhaps one 
ought to do seems to make one more uncomfortable 
here than it used to at home on the ranch.” 

It looks as though you were developing a New 
England conscience. An exceedingly troublesome 
possession to have around — at times, but, once 
acquired, extremely difficult to get rid of.” 

“ I believe you,” Blue Bonnet answered, ruefully. 

She was sure of it, as she lay awake that night 
in the big bed in the spare room, listening to the 
unaccustomed city noises, and trying not to listen 
to the thoughts running so persistently through her 
mind. How disappointed Grandmother and Aunt 
Lucinda would be at her not trying, how pleased 
if she did; how proud Uncle Cliff would be, if she 
won a prize. And like an undercurrent through it 
all, her father’s story of the Alamo. How odd 
that one of those men should have been from 
a Woodford family! A connection of the fam- 
ily I 

“I reckon I’ll just have to do it!” she sighed 
at last. 

She did not oversleep the next morning; when 
the maid tapped at her door, she found Blue Bon- 
net up and dressed. 

“I’ve had a beautiful time!” Blue Bonnet told 


THE BOSTON RELATIVES 373 


the sisters, as she and Cousin Tracy were starting 
for the depot. 

I hope Cousin Elizabeth will lend you to us 
again,” Cousin Honoria said, and Cousin Augusta 
added that it was wonderful how a young person 
brightened up a house. 


CHAPTER XX 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 

To go into a thing half-heartedly was not Blue 
Bonnet’s fashion ; before she was half-way to W ood- 
ford she was deep in plans for her paper. It should 
not be hard, just to tell the story of The Alamo, as 
her father used to tell it to her. She must find out 
about that Woodford man, but there were any 
amount of old record books at the Woodford Li- 
brary; Alec had shown them to her one after- 
noon, — she had thought them very dull-looking. 

No one else would have thought of this subject; 
and she would say nothing about it to anyone — not 
even at home — until her paper was finished. Then 
Grandmother should be allowed to see it before it 
was handed in. 

It was mighty good of her and Aunt Lucinda not 
to have bothered her about it ; perhaps — Blue 
Bonnet straightened herself at the thought — they 
had not considered it worth while, — had been sure 
that in spite of her protestations she would come 
around in the end. 

They came near being disappointed,” she said 
to herself; if Cousin Tracy hadn’t given me such 
a good subject, I shouldn’t be going to try.” 

374 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 375 


Alec was waiting when the train drew into the 
Woodford station; ‘‘I thought Bruce and the cart 
would make better time than Peter and the phae- 
ton,” he explained. ‘‘ You don’t want to start the 
week being late to school, I suppose? So they did 
get you off in time ? ” 

‘‘ They didn’t have to ‘ get ’ me ; I met all their 
efforts more than half-way. I’ve had a beautiful 
time — and I hope Woodford’s missed me a little 
bit?” 

“ Some of it has. Mind you don’t go and do it 
again.” 

I may not get the opportunity.” 

Alec was not the only one glad to see her ; as for 
Solomon, he was all over her, before she was well 
out of the cart. There was only time to kiss Grand- 
mother and Aunt Lucinda, before snatching up her 
school-books. 

Well! ” Kitty demanded, waiting for her at the 
parsonage gate with Sarah ; ‘‘ I hope you’re glad to 
get back.” 

Even if I were not, I hope I am too polite to 
say so,” Blue Bonnet laughed, falling into step. Go- 
ing to and coming from school was fun ; it was the 
staying there that was apt to prove irksome. 

She did not go directly home from school that 
afternoon; instead, she turned off in the direction 
of the Library, standing well back from the street 
in its own square of green. It had been easy to 


376 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


put Sarah and Amanda off; the rest of the club 
were busy “ making up ” these afternoons. It 
seemed to Blue Bonnet, that, on the whole, it was 
Miss Fellows who was paying the penalty for the 
fourteen’s act of insubordination. 

Once at the Library, Blue Bonnet hurried to the 
little room at one side, devoted to the books con- 
cerning local history. There was no one else there, 
though the reading-room was filling fast with pupils 
on Sargent thoughts intent. Standing before the 
rows of musty-looking old volumes. Blue Bonnet 
gave an impatient thought to the originator of so 
much trouble. It was positively wicked to waste 
such a glorious Spring afternoon indoors. Perhaps, 
if she hurried there would still be time for a ride. 

Blue Bonnet found that it was not going to be 
as easy to keep her secret as she had thought, neither 
at home nor at school. Some of the fourteen had 
already been granted the longed-for permission, and 
on the big board up at the front of the assembly- 
room, the list of papers turned in — including titles 
and names of competitors — was lengthening daily. 

I think,’^ Blue Bonnet confided one afternoon 
to Chula, as they started briskly off down the 
drive, that Pll begin to write mine on Saturday 
morning; I’ve got all the dates and details about 
ready.” 

At the sound of quick steps behind Ler, she looked 
around. “ Two is company, you l^ow,” Boyd said, 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 377 


riding up beside her ; “ I hope you are in a mood for 
company — present company, at that.” 

“ Then you don’t call a horse and dog com- 
pany ? ” 

“Doyou?” 

“ Certainly, and very good company.” Blue 
Bonnet leaned forward to pat Victor; they had 
become good friends since that ride together last 
October. “ You’ve been riding Victor too hard — 
again,” she added, with sudden severity. 

“ Victor has been spoiled ridiculously. He and 
I have been having a bit of an argument.” 

Blue Bonnet’s eyes flashed ; “ He is not spoiled ; 
but he is used to his owner.” 

He will get used to me — after a while ; he’s 
been learning a thing or two lately.” 

By way of answer. Blue Bonnet wheeled Chula 
around towards home. She knew now why she had 
not liked Boyd Trent; underneath that smiling, 
easy politeness were selfishness and cruelty. 

Boyd turned too; she was a queer girl, but she 
was interesting, — which was more than could be 
said for some of her friends, — and she rode well. 
“ Are you always so extremely sociable ? ” he asked. 

Blue Bonnet flushed; Aunt Lucinda would say 
that she had been showing her dislike too plainly. 
“ I was thinking of — something,” she said ; “ I 
suppose you are looking forward to summer?” 
After all, he was even more of a newcomer in 


378 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Woodford than she was, and he hadn’t half as 
many friends; even if one were horrid, one might 
have feelings like other people. 

“ Well, rather ! ” Boyd laughed ; “ Fve seen live- 
lier spots.” 

“ Don’t you like it at the academy? ” 

‘‘ Slow like all the rest of the place.” He pulled 
out a note-book ; “ I’ll show you some snap-shots 
of my school at home.” 

Blue Bonnet brought Chula nearer; the snap- 
shots though small were clear, and the bits of school- 
life they gave interested her. She decided that she 
would like a camera; she would like some Wood- 
ford views to take back to the ranch. 

“ Did you take these ? ” she asked. 

‘‘Yes,” Boyd answered. “ I’ll overhaul the cam- 
era, and we’ll go picture-hunting some Saturday 
morning.” He was returning the views to his note- 
book, and, as he spoke, some papers fell from it to 
the ground. 

“ One would think you were taking notes for a 
book — ” Blue Bonnet began, then she stopped. 
They were notes, and they were all in Alec’s hand- 
writing. 

Boyd had slipped down from his horse, and was 
gathering the slips of paper up hurriedly ; he looked 
confused, Blue Bonnet thought. 

The little incident came back to her the next 
morning, as Kitty drew her to a standstill before 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 379 


the bulletin board in the assembly-room. “ Three 
more names,” Kitty commented ; “ they’re coming 
in fast. Why, there’s Boyd Trent’s. I didn’t know 
he meant to try; it not being the regulation thing, 
apparently, for outsiders to do.” 

Blue Bonnet let the little dig pass ; she was bend- 
ing to read the title of Boyd’s paper — The After 
Stories of Some Sargent Winners.” Suddenly, 
Blue Bonnet saw again the little pile of papers lying 
in the dusty road, and Boyd’s face as he bent to pick 
them up. 

'‘What’s the matter?” Kitty asked; "Are you 
beginning to repent? It’s not too late even yet! 
Billy’s still on the tenterhooks, — I think Mr. Hunt 
might temper judgment with mercy a little more 
quickly, — and if there’s time for Billy Slade to 
get up a paper, there’s time enough for you. 
Nothing happening, you’ll be reading Katherine 
Clark’s name there before many days.” 

" Come on ! ” Blue Bonnet said. " No, I’m not 
beginning to repent; I’ve always understood that 
it was a very uncomfortable process to go through 
with.” Her thoughts were in a whirl. Had Boyd 
really taken Alec’s — She couldn’t think that. 

She thought about it all during opening exercises ; 
also, all through the Latin recitation afterwards, 
with the result that she failed twice on questions 
that she knew quite as well as the girl next her who 
answered them so glibly. 


380 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


“ So like the dear old days ! ” Kitty murmured 
provokingly; and Blue Bonnet decided to put the 
matter out of her thoughts until after school. Just 
what she intended to do then, was not clear to her; 
she could hardly go to Boyd and accuse him of — 
that. 

She wouldn’t ride that afternoon; Boyd would 
probably have Victor — she wished General Trent 
knew how seldom Alec had the use of his own horse 
nowadays; she and Alec would go for a walk, 
and — 

Elizabeth ! ” Miss Fellows said, I am afraid 
that you are not attending to the matter in hand.” 

“ But Fm going to, really and truly ! ” Blue Bon- 
net promised, with an earnestness not all for Miss 
Fellows. Mind you do,” she told herself, or 
there won’t be any time for walking this after- 
noon.” 

“ No, I can’t go home with you ! ” she assured 
Kitty after school. I can’t go home with any of 
you girls! Yes, there is something on. Little Miss 
Why; but I am not going to tell you what it is.” 

Kitty looked impatient; ‘^You’re the greatest 
girl for wrapping yourself up in mysteries ! ” 

‘‘ Fm not ! ” Blue Bonnet answered ; ‘‘ but little 
girls mustn’t ask impertinent questions; good-bye. 
I’ll see you to-morrow morning.” 

‘‘ Or before — perhaps,” Kitty retorted. As I 
take the notion.” 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 381 


Blue Bonnet found Alec reading on the side 
piazza; he was looking troubled about something, 
she told herself. “ If you don’t mind, I would like 
to follow our brook this afternoon,” she said. 

“ And I am to follow you ? ” 

‘‘ It would be more sociable if we kept together.” 

They went out across the back meadow, the dogs 
leaping and barking on ahead, just as they had that 
August afternoon. A good deal had happened in 
the eight months since. Blue Bonnet thought; it 
did not seem as if any other eight months could ever 
bring so many new experiences; she felt consider- 
ably more than eight months older. 

What are you looking so sober over ? ” Alec 
asked. 

A great many things.” 

They had reached the brook, and turning they 
followed it back along the way it had come until 
the woods were reached; here they went more 
slowly. The April woods were too lovely to be 
hurried through, Blue Bonnet thought, with the 
light falling soft and shimmering through the young 
green of the trees, and the Spring beauties making 
a delicate border for the brook, which laughed and 
splashed over the stones, as if it knew that at last 
the long winter were gone for good. 

Let’s go up to our old picnic place,” Blue Bon- 
net suggested, and they came at last to the open 
space where they had lunched that afternoon, with. 


382 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


it would seem, the very same squirrel eying them 
askance from the upper bough of a tall tree. 

‘‘ Isn’t it nice here ! ” Blue Bonnet leaned back 
against the moss-covered trunk of an old tree. 
'' Why couldn’t we come out here for schpol ! It 
would be much more sensible ! ” 

From your point of view ! ” 

Blue Bonnet passed a hand lovingly over the 
pink and white beauties which seemed to be smiling 
up at her. And isn’t it good that at last all the 
fourteen can try for the Sargent? Billy got his 
discharge papers this noon.” 

I thought Mr. Hunt would prove amenable.” 

How soon do you send your paper in ? ” Blue 
Bonnet was picking a knot of the flowers for her 
blouse and did not look up ; she hoped her question 
sounded sufficiently casual. 

‘‘I — oh, I’ve decided to follow your example.” 

You mean you’ve given up trying?” 

Sounds that way, doesn’t it? ” Alec was look- 
ing straight ahead of him ; there was a little pucker 
between his brows. 

Blue Bonnet seemed for the moment to be giving 
her attention to her flowers. It was just as she had 
expected; by some means, evidently not fair ones, 
Boyd must have secured Alec’s notes and used them. 
Of course she had not liked him — he was selfish 
and cruel and mean! And she would have to pre- 
tend not to know, unless Alec made some sign, 





CONCERNING THE SARGENT 383 


which he would not — she wasn’t good at pretend- 
ing. 

But I thought,” she said, that it was a girVs 
privilege to change her mind ? ” 

‘‘ Mayn’t we borrow one of your privileges occa- 
sionally? You borrow some qf ours. Besides, I 
won a prize last year — suppose I should do it 
again, wouldn’t too much glory be bad for a 
fellow?” 

‘‘ Aunt Lucinda won it three times running when 
she was a girl.” 

“Yes, but she was — Miss Lucinda! Come to 
think of it, my lady, you are not precisely in a posi- 
tion to lecture me for not trying.” 

“ But I — ” Blue Bonnet caught herself up ; 
“ I don’t want to lecture anyone — to-day,” she 
ended, and leaning back again she looked thought- 
fully up at the soft stretch of blue showing between 
the tree tops. 

She wished Alec would up and fight Boyd on his 
own ground! But then, Boyd had stolen his am- 
munition. Good subjects for the Sargent were not 
lying around waiting to be picked up; no wonder, 
when one remembered all the papers that had been 
written since the originating of the competition. 

Blue Bonnet caught her breath ; suppose — 

But he would not take her subject. Very well, 
he would have to be managed. She could not help 
feeling a very real sense of regret. She had meant 


384 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


to begin writing her paper to-morrow morning; 
she had become honestly interested in the doing of 
it, and she was looking forward to Grandmother’s 
and Aunt Lucinda’s surprise and pleasure when she 
told them. As for the girls — 

Fortunately, she had said nothing about it. 
There would not be time to hunt up another sub- 
ject; besides, she didn’t want any other, she knew 
how Alec felt about that ; still, she was offering him 
a really new idea. It was the manner of offering 
it that was troubling her now. 

“ We aren’t very talkative, are we? ” she said. 

“ We don’t seem to be,” Alec agreed. 

Shall I tell you about Cousin Tracy’s medals? 
He has a fine collection ; ” and presently she had him 
interested in the short accounts Mr. Winthrop had 
given her, introducing — much as he had done — 
the subject of the Alamo, and the fact that the 
father of one of its heroes had been a Woodford 
man. 

I never knew that,” Alec said. 

'' I’m glad, somehow, — so long as I belong to 
both places, — that Woodford can claim a share in 
the Alamo.” And Blue Bonnet went on to tell the 
story as her father used to tell it to her; seeing, 
and making Alec see the tragic drama enacted there 
in that little church near San Antonio during those 
memorable three weeks; the struggle, the heroic 
courage, the no less heroic endurance of the men. 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 385 


who, like the Old Guard, could die, but would not 
surrender. 

I don’t wonder your Texans took ‘ Remember 
the Alamo ’ for their war-cry afterwards ! ” Alec 
said. There was an eager light in the boy’s gray 
eyes; he had not come of a race of soldiers for 
nothing. 

He was not much more talkative going home 
than he had been coming, but from a different rea- 
son, Blue Bonnet felt sure; and she lingered a 
moment on the porch, watching him cross the lawn 
after saying good night. “ Will he, or won’t he, 
Solomon ? ” she asked. 

As she came up the drive the next afternoon, 
after her ride with the club, Alec came to meet her. 
“ See here,” he said, stroking the head Chula 
stretched towards him, ‘‘ I’ve been thinking — ” 

Did it come hard ? ” Blue Bonnet laughed. 

I’ll settle that score later! We’ll stick to busi- 
ness now, if you please. My New England thrift 
makes me hate to see good material going to 
waste.” 

** He will do it I ” Blue Bonnet told herself. 

Then why not prevent it ? ” she asked. 

Don’t you feel an inner call to turn that Alamo 
business into a Sargent ? ” 

Blue Bonnet stroked Chula’s mane thoughtfully; 
‘‘ No,” she answered, I don’t think I do; ” and to 
herself, she added, that she didn’t — now. 


386 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Tve a notion that if you don’t do something of 
the sort your Woodford relatives will be a bit dis- 
appointed.” 

They might be more disappointed if I did.” 

‘‘ Then you are quite sure ? ” 

Perfectly.” 

In that case — it’s such splendid material, I 
really don’t see how you have strength to let it 
alone — I believe I’ll change my mind a second 
time.” 

‘‘ You may; only don’t get into the habit — and 
change it again,” Blue Bonnet warned. 

I won’t,” Alec promised ; “ I’m going straight 
to work. I’m no end obliged to you for telling that 
story; it’s the best subject ever.” 

Spring came early that year, and no one rejoiced 
more in its coming than Blue Bonnet. Now that 
the winter was over, she began to realize how long 
it had seemed ; and, as the days went by. Miss Fel- 
lows began to realize with equal vividness some- 
thing of what Miss Rankin had gone through with 
last fall. 

There was no wilful breaking of rules. Blue Bon- 
net had not forgotten her promise, but there was 
much inward rebellion and outward struggle, re- 
sulting in more or less inattention during school 
hours. Blue Bonnet’s eyes would wander again and 
again to the window, her thoughts drifting even 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 387 


further afield. The remembrance of what the ranch 
must be like now grew daily more insistent. 

The long rides and walks after school, the hunts 
for wild flowers, the tennis which, with the coming 
of Spring, the Woodford young people had 
promptly instituted, helped a good deal. 

By the fifteenth of May, all of the papers for the 
Sargent had to be in. 

And to-morrow is the fifteenth ! ” Blue Bonnet 
rejoiced one afternoon. ‘‘ Now, perhaps, the old 
thing can drop ! ” 

Ah, but the waiting will begin now,” Ruth said. 

“ Can’t you wait in silence ? ” 

You’re a very disrespectful girl!” Debby said 
severely. 

Blue Bonnet smiled agreeingly ; I have learned 
a lot of things since I came East, haven’t I ? ” 

The ‘‘ We are Seven’s ” were sitting under the 
trees in Kitty’s front yard, resting after a long 
walk. ‘‘ I’m going to have a birthday next Satur- 
day week,” Amanda announced. 

“ Is there to be a celebration?” Kitty inquired. 

Amanda nodded importantly. 

Of course there is, little Miss Why ! ” Debby 
said. There’s some use in having a birthday in 
Woodford. If you were wise. Blue Bonnet, you’d 
arrange to have yours while you were here — there 
would be something doing then.” 

‘‘ In August I’ll be on the ranch — and there’ll 


388 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


be something doing there. There’s some good in 
having a birthday on the Blue Bonnet Ranch.” 

'' Aunt Huldah ” — Amanda looked still more 
important — “ says I may bring a party out there 
for supper and — ” 

Kitty came nearer ; ‘‘ ' Codlin’s your friend ! ’ 
And look here,” she turned to the others, “ we’ll 
appoint a body-guard right now to see that Blue 
Bonnet doesn’t pay any visits to the Poor Farm 
between now and a week from Saturday.” 

“ I’ve never been there but that once ! ” Blue Bon- 
net protested. 

That’s not saying you wouldn’t go again if the 
fancy seized you,” Kitty rejoined. 

‘‘I wish you would listen,” Amanda objected; 
“ I thought I’d ask you girls — ” 

‘‘ If you didn’t some of us would be asking the 
reason why,” Debby interposed. 

“ And the boys who were at the ^ skating-rink 
party’ that day. I couldn’t take any larger party 
than that.” 

“ Making it Gentlemen’s Day ? ” Blue Bonnet 
asked. 

“ Uncle Dave’s just finished building a new 
barn,” Amanda went on. 

Kitty clapped her hands — “ And we’re to dance 
in it after supper ! Oh, what fun ! ” 

“ It’ll be moonlight coming home, I looked it up 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 389 


in the almanac.’’ Amanda leaned back with a sigh 
of satisfaction. 

‘‘ Amanda Parker, you’re the sensiblest girl ! ” 
Kitty declared. “Now I don’t believe Blue Bonnet 
or I would ever have thought of providing a full 
moon too. Sarah might’ve.” 

Blue Bonnet carried her good news home. “ And 
I may go this time ? ” she said. “ I won’t ask any- 
body to tea for that night. I’d just love to see a 
real farm. I suppose it’s what Uncle Joe would 
call a ‘ juvenile ranch.’ Twelve days is going to be 
an awful long while to wait.” 

“ A what, my dear? ” Aunt Lucinda suggested. 

“Very — spelled like — awful,” Blue Bonnet 
laughed. 

“ The days are going pretty fast the past weeks,” 
Grandmother said, thinking sadly that already May 
was half gone and that June would soon be here; 
even now, Mr. Ashe was writing of coming East 
for Blue Bonnet. The summer seemed to stretch 
ahead, unusually long and quiet; and who knew 
what the fall would bring forth ? Blue Bonnet had 
not said as much lately about coming back; and 
once Mr. Ashe had her safely on the ranch, would 
he be willing to part with her again? 

Grandmother roused herself; at least. Blue Bon- 
net had not gone yet. Looking up, she found Blue 
Bonnet watching her rather soberly ; and presently, 


390 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


when supper was over, the latter ran hastily up- 
stairs to her own room. 

‘‘ Tve the best plan ever, Solomon ! ” she confided 
to him, as he danced on before her. Five minutes 
later, she was down again. ‘‘ Fm going to the office 
to mail a letter,” she announced from the sitting- 
room doorway; “ I won’t be gone long.” 

Those twelve days were not so long in passing. 
That all of the invitations should have been 
promptly accepted was only to be expected. 

It’s about the only thorough-going jollification 
we’ll have time for between now and closing of 
school,” Debby told Blue Bonnet ; the exams will 
be beginning soon.” 

‘‘ And we’ll have all last winter’s agony to go 
through with again ? ” 

“ That depends upon how easily you agonize.” 

I’m not quite so scared as I was then,” Blue 
Bonnet said ; ** I wonder if one would ever get 
where an exam didn’t really bother one at all ? ” 

'' I’m not wasting my time over any such non- 
sense,” Kitty declared ; ‘‘ I’m wondering why the 
wagon doesn’t come.” 

The party were waiting on the Parker front steps 
for the big hay wagon from the farm; the girls, 
in their fresh summer dresses, making a bright spot 
of color against the green background of the vine 
covering the piazza. 

Here it comes ! ” one of the boys said. 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 391 


Billy had provided himself with a horn, a battered 
old affair which had seen much service but was still 
capable of more, as Billy proceeded to prove, 
waking the echoes of the quiet old street. 

“ Billy ! ” Mrs. Parker implored, coming out, 
you’re not going to take that thing? ” 

I am surprised at you ! ” Billy eyed her re- 
proachfully. Don’t I always take it? ” 

“ We won’t let him blow it too often,” Alec 
promised ; ‘‘ if he tries to, we’ll drop him and it 
overboard.” 

Isn’t living in a village ever and ever so much 
more fun than living on a ranch? ” Kitty demanded 
of Blue Bonnet as the wagon started. 

“ Tell her * no,’ ” Alec said. 

Tell her comparisons are odious,” another of 
the boys suggested. 

‘‘ Tell me to come and see,” Billy urged. 

And suddenly Blue Bonnet found herself wish- 
ing that it were possible to take all the ‘‘ We are 
Seven’s” and some of their friends back to Texas 
with her. Would they find the life there as strange 
and as confusing as she had found it here? At 
least, there would be no school; just long happy 
care-free days to be spent out-of-doors. She would 
like Uncle Joe Terry to know Kitty — she could 
see the twinkle in his shrewd kindly eyes as he 
looked down into the freckled, piquant little face; 
she would like him to know Sarah, too, and all the 


392 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


girls, and Alec. And she would like them all to 
know Uncle Joe. So long as there were no fences 
making choice of side imperative, even Amanda was 
good fun ; besides, she was a club member. 

But of course, it was not to be thought of. 

'‘If I were the ‘ rankin’ officer,’ ” Kitty an- 
nounced, " I should be calling you to attention just 
about now. Blue Bonnet Ashe. You are the un- 
hearingest girl that ever was ! ” 

" But you’re not, you know,” Blue Bonnet an- 
swered; "and I was thinking of something.” 

" You mostly are — when you shouldn’t be; and 
mostly aren’t when you should be,” Kitty observed. 

" The ' rankin’ officer ’ is a part of the past, so 
far as we are concerned,” Debby said comfortably. 

" And so will the ' jolly good ’ be soon,” Billy 
said. 

" And will you tell me,” Kitty looked from one 
to another, as if the question were a momentous 
one, "what we are going to do next term with a 
teacher named Kent! ” 

" You haven’t got her yet,” one of the boys re- 
minded her. " ‘ There’s many a slip ’twixt the cup 
and the lip.’ ” 

" ' Spell it with a we, my lord, spell it with a 
we,’ ” Alec quoted. 

" And have her Fent it all on us? ” Ruth laughed. 

" Somebody kindly head Sarah off! She’s get- 
ting ready to remonstrate ! ” Kitty added. 


CONCERNING THE SARGENT 393 


“I see the new barn!” Susy called; I guess 
you’re glad we’re nearly there.” She looked up 
at Mrs. Parker, in the seat of honor beside the 
driver. 

I’ve chaperoned you young people before,” Mrs. 
Parker answered, — a remark, which, as Alec said, 
could be construed in more than one way. 

“ Choose your partners,” Billy called; it’ll save 
time afterwards.” 

They were within sight of the low, stone farm- 
house by now; from the front porch, Amanda’s 
Aunt Huldah was waving a welcome to them. 

Boyd gave Billy a sudden shove into the road, 
slipping into his place beside Blue Bonnet. “ May 
I have the first dance ? ” he asked. 

It’s promised,” she answered ; Alec had seen 
to that the night before. 

“Well, I like that!” Billy stood staring after 
the wagon. “ A nice way to treat a fellow.” 

“ He thought you needed exercise, Billy,” Kitty 
called. 

“ Then, the second ? ” Boyd asked ; she had 
seemed to avoid him whenever possible lately, — he 
half wanted to find out why; and outside of that, 
she was the best dancer there. 

The wagon was stopping, but Blue Bonnet did 
not appear to have noticed; she was looking off 
down the road they had come by, a doubtful expres- 
sion in her blue eyes; then she turned, meeting 


394 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


Boyd’s glance fully, I’ll give you the next to the 
last.” 

“ The next to the last ! ” She was a queer girl. 

Come on, Blue Bonnet ! ” Amanda called ; I 
want to introduce you to Aunt Huldah — you and 
Boyd too.” 

“ I’m coming ! ” Blue Bonnet did not seem to 
see the helping hand Boyd held out. 

As she went up the steps with the other girls, he 
stood a moment looking after her. He was not so 
sure now that he did want to find out why she had — 
she had some nonsense in her mind. It couldn’t 
be about — 

With a little shake of the shoulders, Boyd fol- 
lowed the rest. 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE END OF THE TERM 

Boyd was in two minds about claiming that 
dance — it wouldn’t do the little Texan any harm 
to be called down ; but when the time came, he pre- 
sented himself before Blue Bonnet, outwardly as 
smiling as usual. 

'' Would you mind if we sat it out? ” she asked. 

Boyd looked his surprise; she had not been sit- 
ting out any of the other dances, and again that 
uneasy feeling came over him. As you like, of 
course,” he answered, leading the way to the old 
bench under a big apple tree just outside. 

I wanted to tell you,” Blue Bonnet began at 
once, — “ I’ve thought it all over, and it doesn’t 
seem fair not to tell you — that I know about — ” 

Boyd’s quick glance of astonishment, even though 
she felt it to be half assumed, made it hard to go on. 

About your Sargent paper,” she added deter- 
minedly. 

Is that to be wondered at ? It is down on the 
board with the rest.” 

I think you know what I mean. You know 
that those notes you dropped the other day belonged 
to Alec.” 


395 


396 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ Upon my word, that is — ” 

And that the subject you used was really the 
one he was using.” 

'‘Aren’t you taking a good deal for granted?” 
Boyd broke in; she should not have it all her own 
way. 

" You know what I say is so,” Blue Bonnet in- 
sisted. " Those were Alec’s notes, the subject was 
his, and all at once he gave up sending in a paper. 
It’s very plain.” 

" It has not occurred to you that Alec might have 
given me those notes ? ” 

" Then, in that case, you would not have looked 
so — ashamed, while you were picking them up.” 

Boyd sprang to his feet, his face crimson. " I 
don’t wonder they sent you East to be taught — 
manners ! ” 

It was Blue Bonnet’s turn to crimson, but she 
held back the retort trembling at the edge of her 
tongue; she had come out there to tell Boyd Trent 
what she knew, and she had told him. It was in- 
conceivable that a Trent — the General’s grandson, 
and Alec’s cousin — should have done this thing. 

" I only wish you were a boy ! ” Boyd said. 

" I’d like well to be — ■ for a few moments,” Blue 
Bonnet answered, turning away. 

Boyd did not follow her; instead he wandered 
off to the lower end of the yard, out of sight of the 
lantern-lighted barn, but not out of hearing of the 


THE END OF THE TERM 397 


fiddle played by Amanda’s Uncle Dave. Leaning 
against the old stone wall, the boy stared miserably 
out over the broad moonlit meadow. 

The worst of it was that he did not know what 
Blue Bonnet would do now. As things were, it 
would be just his luck for that paper to take a prize. 
It ought to, considering how carefully Alec had 
prepared those notes ; there had been very little left 
for him to do, beyond putting them together. He 
wouldn’t have bothered about writing a paper at 
all — what did he care for Woodford customs? — 
except that his grandfather had seemed to expect 
it, and he wanted to keep on the right side of his 
grandfather — for various reasons. Alec shouldn’t 
have left the notes lying around, he knew he had 
been hunting for a subject; and anyhow, they were 
only notes — taken from books; he wouldn’t have 
thought of taking a real paper. There would have 
been plenty of time for Alec to get up another one ; 
it was the sort of thing he liked doing. If only 
Blue Bonnet had not — Alec could have been de- 
pended on not to tell; he had not referred to the 
matter since — Boyd moved impatiently ; that 
brief interview between his cousin and himself was 
one of the things he preferred to forget. 

It was all a horrid mess whatever way you looked 
at it; he would be mighty glad when school closed; 
next fall he should be going back to his own school ; 
he never wanted to see Woodford again. 


398 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


In the meantime, he supposed that Amanda girl 
was wondering where her partner for this last dance 
was? She would have to wonder, that was all. 

They were finishing the dance as he went back to 
the barn. Amanda received his murmured apology 
about a sudden headache in indignant silence; she 
didn’t believe he had a headache. 

More than once, during the ride home, Boyd felt 
Kitty’s inquisitive eyes upon him. “ Why aren’t 
you singing with the rest of us? ” she demanded at 
last. ' 

I’d rather listen.” 

‘‘ You didn’t look as if you were doing even 
that,” Kitty remarked. 

Alec glanced at his cousin; something had hap- 
pened during that sitting out. 

“ Don’t let’s wait to talk,” Susy urged ; ‘‘ we’ll 
be home before we know it now. Mrs. Parker, 
mayn’t we go around the long way? It’s such a 
beautiful night.” 

But Mrs. Parker vetoed this request; the short 
way ’round was fully long enough in her opinion. 

Two or three days later. Blue Bonnet came in 
after school waving a letter. ** I met the carrier ! 
It’s from Uncle Cliff! He expects to get here by 
the twelfth. He will be here in two weeks! And 
then in ten days school will be out ! ” Blue Bonnet 
waltzed Solomon about the room excitedly. 


THE END OF THE TERM 399 


There was a litter of sewing about the sitting- 
room; Blue Bonnet was to take her summer things 
back with her, and Grandmother insisted on having 
a share in the making of them. Being fitted by 
Grandmother was much pleasanter than being fitted 
by Mrs. Morrow, Blue Bonnet thought; she didn’t 
fill her mouth full of pins, and then sigh if one so 
much as stirred. 

Not that there were no fittings to be gone through 
with at the old-fashioned house at the further end 
of the village; Mrs. Morrow was making the new 
white dress for ‘‘ Closing Day ” right now, and Blue 
Bonnet was due in her little trying-on room right 
now, too. 

“ To think that it’s only two weeks ! ” Blue Bon- 
net looked about the sitting-room a little soberly; 
would she be homesick for it after she got back to 
the ranch? The great living-room there was not 
much like this, certainly. 

“ Only a matter of weeks,” Aunt Lucinda said, 
dislodging Solomon from the piece of muslin, 
where he had suddenly elected to take a nap. 

Blue Bonnet’s face sobered even more; if only 
they wouldn’t care so much. “ Uncle Cliff thinks 
Chula had better go out to Darrel’s for the sum- 
mer,” she went on. And, oh. Grandmother ! He’s 
going to give me a week in New York before we go 
West!” 

That will be fine ! ” Mrs. Clyde said, her 


400 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


thoughts going back to the Spring afternoon when 
the other Elizabeth had sat there on that same 
lounge telling of certain plans, a letter from Texas 
in her hand. 

I think. Blue Bonnet,” Aunt Lucinda suggested, 

that Mrs. Morrow will be wondering where you 
are.” 

You’d think she give that up by now, wouldn’t 
you?” Blue Bonnet remarked. “But she always 
looks just as surprised as if it was the first time I’d 
kept her waiting. Come on, Solomon, you may go, 
too, — but you are not to chase the cat, remem- 
ber.” 

The “ We are Seven’s ” received the news of Mr. 
Ashe’s expected arrival with mingled pleasure and 
regret. “ It isn’t that we mind his coming, if it 
didn’t mean your going,” Kitty explained, linking 
her arm through Blue Bonnet’s. 

“ I suppose,” Ruth said, “ that if you asked him 
your prettiest, he would let you stay on through the 
summer.” 

“ That’s one of the things you’re not likely to 
find out,” Blue Bonnet laughed. 

The seven were out in full force to welcome Mr. 
Ashe. “ May I have her this time ? ” he asked 
Kitty. 

“ I reckon we’ll have to lend her to you — for the 
summer,” Kitty answered; “but you’ll have to 
promise first to get her back before school opens.” 


THE END OF THE TERM 401 


“ Woodford appears to agree with you, Honey,'’ 
Mr. Ashe said, as the club left them at the gate. 
He stood a moment before opening it. It was over 
five months since he had seen her. She had grown 
taller in the five months; taller, and a bit older. 
“ I suppose one of these trips I shall come back and 
find you quite grown up,” he said. 

Blue Bonnet’s laugh was reassuring. ‘‘ Not as 
long as I can help it! Tell me about everything, 
Uncle Cliff I It doesn’t seem believable that in just 
a little while now I’ll be going back. They’ll be 
glad to see me, won’t they ? ” 

“ Uncle Joe intimated pretty plainly that if I 
came back without you this time he wouldn’t hold 
himself responsible for anything that might hap- 
pen.” 

One thing, there won’t be anything changed! ” 
Uncle Cliff’s eyes twinkled. 

** And please. Uncle Cliff, you’ll ask Grandmother 
the first thing? I want that settled. There she is 
in the garden; Aunt Lucinda’s out.” 

“ Haven’t you asked her, Honey ? ” 

‘‘ I waited till you came ; I didn’t want to give 
her too much time for thinking it over in.” 

“ It is really very good of you to be glad to see 
me,” Mr. Ashe said, as Grandmother came forward 
to meet him, considering that this time I do not 
‘ go back alone.’ ” 

“ I have been telling myself that turn and turn 


402 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


about is only fair play,” Mrs. Clyde answered; 
and that the fall is not so far off.” 

Please, Grandmother,” Blue Bonnet’s tone was 
most insinuating, it won’t take you very long to 
get ready? ” 

“ ' To get ready ’ ? ” Mrs. Clyde repeated. 

Why, to go with us. Uncle Cliff and I have 
been hoping and planning for that this ever so long; 
but I didn’t tell you before, because I didn’t want 
you to have time to think up objections in. There 
aren’t any really, you know.” 

Grandmother sat down on one of the garden 
benches, looking from Blue Bonnet to Mr. Ashe in 
a surprise too great for words. 

It would be so lovely,” Blue Bonnet sat down 
beside her ; ‘‘ for us, I mean, and we would try to 
make it as pleasant as possible for you. You see, 
I never knew, until I came East, how much I 
needed a grandmother.” 

‘‘ The need was mutual,” Grandmother said 
softly. 

And you could keep me from slipping back into 
the old spoilt ways; you could see that I did my 
mending and practising, and only took coffee at 
Sunday morning breakfast — ” 

Mrs. Clyde smiled. '' At least, I should be on 
hand to bring you back with me in the fall ; ” and 
suddenly, Texas did not seem as far away as it had. 
Lucinda wanted to go abroad this summer — the 


THE END OF THE TERM 403 


only drawback had been leaving her mother alone. 
She would like to see the Blue Bonnet Ranch, where 
the other Elizabeth had been so happy during those 
few years of her married life. And it would mean 
too the not parting with Blue Bonnet for the 
summer. 

I will think it over,” she said. 

“ But that is just what I didn’t want you to do,” 
Blue Bonnet protested. “ Please, couldn’t you 
promise first ? ” 

“ Couldn’t you? ” Mr. Ashe said. “ Blue Bonnet 
and I have certainly set our hearts on this; and I 
have a rooted objection to having our young lady 
disappointed — unnecessarily.” 

“ There comes Aunt Lucinda, I hear Solomon’s 
bark! ” Blue Bonnet jumped up. May I go and 
tell her it’s all settled. Grandmother ? ” 

‘‘ You may go and tell her what it is we are try- 
ing to settle,” Mrs. Clyde laughed. 

Miss Lucinda approved of the plan thoroughly. 
‘‘ I think it would be a delightful trip for you, 
Mother,” she said. 

And next year, maybe you won’t be wanting 
to go abroad. Aunt Lucinda,” Blue Bonnet said; 
“ then you and Grandmother can both come out to 
the ranch.” 

Perhaps,” Miss Lucinda agreed. 

After supper. Blue Bonnet and her uncle went 
for a ride. “ Chula’ll miss me,” Blue Bonnet 


404 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


said, patting the glossy neck; “she’s the dearest 
horse.” 

“ And Firefly will be mighty glad to see you. 
Listen, Honey, I’ve been cogitating. Don’t you 
want to take one or two of those girls along with 
you for the summer? You must be sort of used 
to having girls to run with by now.” 

“ Uncle Cliff! Oh, I would love that! ” 

“ Kitty, I suppose — who else ? ” 

“ Kitty would be most fun. And Sarah’s been — 
you don’t know how good Sarah Blake was to me 
a while back. Uncle Cliff! ” 

“ How about telling me. Honey ? ” 

Mr. Ashe listened to the rather sketchy story she 
told him, filling in the outlines from his knowledge 
of her. When she finished, he leaned nearer, laying 
a hand over hers. “ Sarah’s going out to the ranch 
with us if I have to kidnap her.” 

The thought of Sarah being kidnapped sent Blue 
Bonnet off into a fit of laughter. “ But,” she said 
presently, “ it wouldn’t do, really, to pick and 
choose like that. The others would feel ever so 
hurt. They’re " We are Seven’s ’ too.” 

“ Then we’ll corral the whole bunch. There’s 
room enough for them on the ranch, and if there 
isn’t, the one adjoining is in the market.” 

“ I wish we could ! They’ve all been so nice to 
me, and we’ve had such good times together. But 
I’m afraid it’s impossible.” 


THE END OF THE TERM 405 


“ I thought it was a copy-book maxim that noth- 
ing was impossible.” 

You haven’t lived ten months in Woodford, 
Uncle Cliff.” 

The first thing is — whether you really want 
them all to go? ” 

“ Indeed I do ! ” 

‘‘ Then the next thing to do is to see how your 
grandmother feels about it. It may strike her as a 
pretty big proposition.” 

Grandmother won’t mind — she likes young 
people about. And if she says yes, I suppose you 
will allow their fathers and mothers some voice in 
the matter? ” 

“ As a matter of courtesy, it might be as well to,” 
Mr. Ashe laughed. '' How about your neighbor ; 
I thought it was settled that he was to have a taste 
of ranch life? ” 

“ Alec ! Oh, he would like that. It would do him 
a lot of good. His cousin is going abroad for the 
summer, to stay with his people.” 

It was Aunt Lucinda who looked dubious when 
this latter plan was explained. ‘‘ Wouldn’t it mean 
too much responsibility for you, Mother?” she asked. 

But please,” Blue Bonnet exclaimed, “ we’d try 
not to trouble Grandmother one bit; she wouldn’t 
have to do an3dhing for us; and we’d be as good 
as gold. Why, most of the time, she wouldn’t know 
we were on earth.” 


406 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ My dear — ” Aunt Lucinda began. 

“ That would hardly be a very satisfactory state 
of mind to be in/’ Mrs. Clyde said; she smiled 
down into Blue Bonnet’s eager face. “ I should hate 
to be the one to deprive any of the young people of 
such a summer’s outing. And the fact that I am 
going may make it the easier for you to secure their 
parents’ consents.” 

Thank you so. much!” Blue Bonnet said joy- 
ously; and Aunt Lucinda reflected that it was very 
improbable they would all be allowed to go. 

The first one who makes you a bit of trouble 
you send to me, ma’am,” Mr. Ashe said. 

They would hate that so I ” Blue Bonnet 
laughed. But none of us would dream of bother- 
ing Grandmother. And it’s all settled beautifully! 
We’ll look like a party of Raymond’s Tourists, 
won’t we? And now I can tackle those dreadful 
exams with a clear mind. They begin to-morrow.” 

Blue Bonnet found Alec in his garden the next 
morning before breakfast. Uncle Cliff’s coming 
over to see General Trent by and by,” she said. 

Guess what for? ” 

Alec’s gray eyes lightened, as if before them he 
already saw the wide open sweep of the prairie. 
“ Oh, I say! ” he cried. 

‘‘ Grandmother’s going ! ” 

Good!” 

“ And — Uncle Cliff says that it is only fair to 


THE END OP THE TERM 407 


prepare you — all the girls, if we can manage 
it” 

Alec stood the shock bravely. It’ll prove an eye 
opener for Sarah.” 

“ It’ll be like having seven sisters, won’t it — for 
you? ” 

“ I’ve always understood,” Alec laughed, “ that 
the only boy in a large family of girls got a lot of 
waiting on and spoiling.” 

“ You think your grandfather will say yes? ” 

I’m not much afraid of his saying no,” Alec 
answered. 

The six girls were the next to be told. ‘‘ This 
isn’t the official invitation,” Blue Bonnet explained, 
as they sat in a little group under a tree in the 
school yard — she had started for school good and 
early that morning ; ‘‘ Uncle Cliff and I are going 
visiting this afternoon, but I wanted you to be pre- 
pared — so you wouldn’t say no instead of yes when 
your mothers asked if you would like to go.” 

The wonder of it was holding even Kitty speech- 
less. 

If we could — ” Ruth sighed at last. 

“ Do you want us to go — very, very much. Blue 
Bonnet?” Debby asked. 

I do.” 

“ Then,” Debby nodded confidently at the others, 
‘‘ it’s as good as settled. Blue Bonnet always gets 
what she wants — if she wants it hard enough.” 


408 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


And, to everybody’s surprise except Blue Bon- 
net’s and her uncle’s, Debby’s word proved true. 
Fathers and mothers shook their heads doubtfully, 
uncles and aunts indulged in grave forebodings, 
big brothers and sisters offered advice, but after not 
too much delay all the invitations were accepted. 

Sarah went about with a look of continual as- 
tonishment in her light blue eyes; to be going to 
Texas, to be breaking away from all the old routine 
of home duties and simple village amusements for 
a whole vacation — Sarah and her sense of duty 
underwent daily conflict. 

“ But your father and mother want you to go ! ” 
Blue Bonnet argued. ‘‘ You’re bound to obey your 
parents, Sarah.” 

“ Sure ! ” Kitty added. And don’t you worry, 
Sallykins, you’re bound to run across a few things 
now and then which only your strong sense of duty 
will enable you to go through with. Wait until 
you’re face to face with your first tamale.” 

School was to close on the twenty-second. The 
following week, Mr. Ashe and Blue Bonnet were 
to spend in New York, giving the fellow travelers 
time to make their final preparations, — the whole 
party leaving Woodford for Texas on the first of 
July. 

The ease and rapidity with which Mr. Ashe de- 
tailed these arrangements, took the six club mem- 
bers’ breaths away. 


THE END OF THE TERM 409 


“We might be simply running in to Boston for 
a day’s shopping,” Susy commented. 

“ The more time the more worry,” Blue Bonnet 
said. 

There were three all-engrossing topics of con- 
versation during those days; the Texas trip, the 
hoped-for promotion, and the Sargent. 

“ Two of which you’ve a share in, -and one of 
which you haven’t ! ” Kitty said to Blue Bonnet, 
now, after enumerating them. 

“ Did you know,” Debby asked, “ that Boyd 
Trent had withdrawn his paper? ” 

“ Withdrawn his paper ! ” five voices echoed ex- 
citedly. “ Why didn’t you tell us before ? ” 

“ I was waiting for a clear field,” Debby laughed. 
“ He told me so himself this morning.” 

“ But why ? ” Kitty asked. 

“ He didn’t tell me that.” 

“ Perhaps he thought it wasn’t good enough,” 
Ruth suggested. 

“ I’m sure I sometimes wish I could withdraw 
mine,” Amanda sighed. 

“ It wouldn’t have made any difference ; he’d 
never have got a prize,” Kitty declared. 

As she went on up the street after leaving the 
girls. Blue Bonnet told herself that she knew why 
Boyd had withdrawn his paper. Perhaps he had 
told Debby, knowing Debby would tell her among 
the others. She had scarcely seen him since the 


410 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


night of Amanda’s birthday; to all intents and pur- 
poses, he was devoting himself to baseball during 
most of his out-of-school time. 

That relations continued strained between the two 
cousins it was easy to see; a mere outward sem- 
blance of friendliness being kept up on the General’s 
account. 

‘‘ Solomon,” Blue Bonnet said, as he came to 
meet her, “ should I have said what I did that 
night, or shouldn’t I? Maybe it was more or less 
of a rushing-in business? But it didn’t seem fair 
not to let him know why one couldn’t dance with 
him, or be friends. And it was true ! ” 

Solomon appeared perfectly willing to take her 
word for it. 

‘‘ What’s the trouble. Honey ? ” Uncle Cliff asked, 
as she came across the lawn to the bench where he 
sat, busy over some papers Uncle Joe had for- 
warded him. 

Just some school business,” she hadn’t any right 
to tell even such a close confidant as Uncle Cliff 
about it. “ You don’t get much chance to lead the 
Simple Life going to school.” 

The twenty-second’s coming nearer every day. 
Honey.” 

“ At least, the exams will be over soon ; the Sar- 
gent winners aren’t given out until the very last 
day, at closing exercises.” 


THE END OF THE TERM 411 


Why didn’t you try ? Afraid of cutting out all 
the others ? ” Mr. Ashe laughed. 

I did think of it — then I changed my mind.” 

She had fallen into their ways and customs 
pretty well, Mr. Ashe thought; she couldn’t have 
been expected to go in for them all. 

Blue Bonnet broke off a spray of white roses, 
brushing* them lightly across her face. She was 
sorry on Grandmother’s and Aunt Lucinda’s ac- 
count ; they were disappointed, though they had said 
nothing. She would like them to know the rights 
of it, and to be able to show Grandmother the little 
bundle of papers thrust into one of the pigeonholes 
of her desk. 

‘‘ By the way,” her uncle asked, how about the 
present financial condition?” 

I’m getting on,” Blue Bonnet laughed ; last 
month I actually saved a whole ten-cent piece. 
Aunt Lucinda thinks I’m almost ready for an ad- 
vance. She’s giving me a camera as a reward of 
merit.” 

Nor had the little brick house on the mantelpiece 
been neglected; its contents were to go to the 
Floating Hospital. She had not made that prom- 
ised visit to Aunt Lucinda’s crippled girls — that 
was one of the things that must wait over until fall 
now; next year she meant not to have so many 
w^ait-overs. 


412 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


‘‘ I had a wire this morning from Maldon,” Mr. 
Ashe said; he places The Wanderer at our dis- 
posal for the trip West; she happens to be lying 
idle in Boston.” 

“ How perfectly lovely ! I must go tell Grand- 
mother; and now — ” Blue Bonnet’s face was 
radiant, “ now, Solomon needn’t travel in the bag- 
gage-car.” 

Maldon will be relieved when he learns that,” 
Mr. Ashe observed. 

The six received this latest piece of news wide- 
eyed. Travel all the way to Texas in a private 
car ! ” Amanda exclaimed. 

“ Blue Bonnet Ashe ! ” Kitty declared solemnly. 

It was a lucky day for us when you came East ! ” 

The Boston relatives arrived on the twenty-first 
for a short visit ; Cousin Honoria and Cousin 
Augusta looked upon Cousin Elizabeth’s proposed 
Western trip in mingled amazement and dismay; 
a little kindly advice, a little gentle persuasion, were 
the least they could offer. 

What would she do on a ranch — where there 
were cowboys and Mexicans and — Cousin Honoria 
glanced appealingly at her sister. 

Mustangs ! ” Cousin Augusta felt that she had 
added the final touch. 

Blue Bonnet left the room with a haste that 
Grandmother could only envy. But I do not in- 


THE END OF THE TERM 413 


tend to ride the mustangs/' she said ; “ and I have 
always wanted to see a real cowboy; and Benita is 
a Mexican. Elizabeth was very fond of Benita ; so 
is Blue Bonnet.” 

‘‘ I think Mother will enjoy her summer very 
much,” Miss Lucinda said, patting Solomon; Sol- 
omon had been more than ever attached to Miss 
Lucinda lately. Solomon couldn’t understand just 
what was about to happen, but he had an instinctive 
feeling that in an emergency Miss Lucinda was 
likely to prove a veritable tower of defence. 

It was that afternoon that Blue Bonnet came 
home jubilant, as she had that Friday before Christ- 
mas. I’ve passed ! ” she announced. That’s 
twice running ! Looks like I was getting the habit ! 
And I needn’t have worked so hard, after all; it 
wasn’t such a close thing. Alec’s passed too,” she 
went on hurriedly, seeing reproof in her aunt’s eye; 
** and the girls — Amanda’s conditioned. She’ll 
have to study this summer. I did think there 
wouldn’t be a single school book along.” 

“ A little regular study on the part of each 
one of you girls every day — ” Miss Lucinda 
began. 

But,” Blue Bonnet broke in, ‘‘ nothing is too 
regular out there, not even the meals; that’s the 
delightful part of it.” 

And Grandmother laughed at the sudden look in 
Cousin Honoria’s and Cousin Augusta’s eyes. 


414 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


At last, the twenty-second really came ; Blue 
Bonnet, standing before the glass, while Aunt Lu- 
cinda buttoned the long line of tiny buttons down 
the back of the new white gown, decided that going 
to school has its attractions. Closing Day being one 
of them. And later, sitting in her place in the big 
assembly-room, sharing the common thrill of eager 
excitement in the air, she was sure of it. 

The graduation exercises were to take place that 
night. Blue Bonnet was not much interested in 
those; she was waiting for the great moment of 
the morning — the announcing of the names of the 
winners of the Sargent prizes. 

It came at last, the tall boy who had taken her 
in to supper the night of her dance leading the list ; 
Blue Bonnet thought his subject sounded very dull, 
like himself. If only Mr. Hunt would hurry along 
to Alec’s class! Would Alec — 

'' ' Remember the Alamo,’ ” Mr. Hunt read pres- 
ently, “ Alexander Morton Trent.” I 

It was General Trent who led the applause that 
time. 

Now our room!” Kitty whispered. “It’ll be 
Hester — for the girls ! ” 

But it was not Hester. 

“ ‘ The Sargents of the Future,’ ” Mr. Hunt an- 
nounced, “ Katherine Benton Clark,” and no one 
was more surprised than Kitty herself. 

“To think,” she whispered to Blue Bonnet, as 


THE END OF THE TERM 415 


she came back to her place, “ to think how dread- 
fully near I came to not being allowed to try ! ” 

After the general exercises were various gather- 
ings in the different classrooms, congratulations to 
be made and received, good-byes to be said. 

** And so,’’ Mr. Hunt said, meeting Blue Bonnet 
on the stairs, you did not let your class go on with- 
out you? ” 

‘‘ Not either time,” she answered happily. 

‘‘ I understand that you are off to Texas before 
long, taking a good portion of the school with 
you ? ” 

“To make sure that they do not go on without 
me,” she laughed back. “ Good-bye,” she added, 
holding out her hand, “ and — thank you so much.” 
He had ^l)een mighty kind, she told herself, — 
what a perfectly delightful tutor he would have 

made! 

# 

It was towards late afternoon when she reached 
home, tired and happy. The General was there, 
looking very proud. 

“ For the second time,” he was saying, for 
rather more than the second time. “ He really is 
a clever boy — they both are, for that matter; it 
seems that Boyd withdrew his paper almost at the 
last — for some reason or other I couldn’t quite 
make out — or we might have had a tie between 
them.” He turned to Blue Bonnet. “ Alec tells me 
that it is really you, my dear, whom I have to 


416 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 

thank — for supplying him with such an uncom- 
monly good subject.’’ 

Cousin Tracy looked interested. ‘‘ So that’s what 
you did with it, Sehorita ? ” 

I passed it on irjfo the right hands, you see,” 
Blue Bonnet said, and presently she slipped away 
to her room. 

The big trunk which Benita had packed with such 
loving care for the journey East stood open, and 
partly filled, and on the lounge her suit case 
ready for the morrow. 

Blue Bonnet sat down near it, Solomon beside 
her, thinking of that last afternoon at home, and the 
hopes and fears filling her heart then; thinking of 
a good many other things besides. 

It was going to be a different going back from 
the one she had so insisted on that November morn- 
ing; very “decently and in order,” for — Blue 
Bonnet’s eyes danced — was not Aunt Lucinda 
superintending the packing? 

How many things had happened in this room; 
she had had her good moments and her bad, but the 
former had predominated ; and when next fall 
came it would be almost like coming home. 

“ And if I haven’t learned anything else, Solo- 
mon,” she observed, “ I have learned to make a bed 
beautifully ; Aunt Lucinda said as much this morn- 
ing.” 

“Will you be wanting any help. Miss?” Delia 


THE END OF THE TERM 417 


asked, from the open door, and Blue Bonnet relin- 
quished most willingly the task of unbuttoning that 
long row of buttons. 

‘‘ Katie and me ain’t liking to think of to- 
morrow,” Delia said. '' ’Tis the dull house this’ll 
be the summer long.” 

‘‘ You’ll be dusting the parlor every Saturday 
morning now,” Blue Bonnet laughed; ‘‘not just 
when I’ve forgotten it.” It was awfully good of 
everybody to^^e nice about not wanting her to 

go- 

She was sitting on the porch in the twilight, 
thinking contentedly of the long twilights to come 
on the ranch veranda, with Grandmother sitting 
close by, and all the “We are Seven’s ” and Alec 
there, too, when Mrs. Clyde said slowly, “ Blue 
Bonnet, why — when Cousin Tracy gave you such 
excellent material to work with — didn’t you try 
for the Sargent? Why, at one time, we thought 
you were going to, — your aunt and I.” 

Blue Bonnet looked out across the shadowy lawn ; 
she believed she would tell Grandmother; it should 
be their secret between them. 

“ I have got a reason, truly,” she said ; “ but it 
takes in such a number of other people. It began 
one afternoon when Boyd Trent met me out riding, 
and — ” 

“ When in doubt, always confide in your grand- 
mother,” Mrs. Clyde advised, as Blue Bonnet hesi- 


418 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


tated ; '' that’s one of the things grandmothers were 
made for.” 

All right,” Blue Bonnet answered. 

Please,” she asked, as she finished her story, 

was it very dreadful — what I said to Boyd that 
night?” 

‘‘ I think, taking everything into consideration, 
that it was very — pardonable,” Grandmother said. 

** And you won’t mind, now that you know I 
really did mean to try? And Alec won a prize. I 
don’t believe I should have done that ; and if I had, 
Kitty couldn’t ’ve.” 

“ How should I mind, dear ? — now that I un- 
derstand your reason for not trying.” 

Blue Bonnet drew a deep breath of relief. ** Then 
I haven’t a single worry left on my mind. I didn’t 
like you and Aunt Lucinda thinking I was being — 
just horrid.” 

** I am very glad you have told me this. Blue 
Bonnet. You must let me tell your aunt.” 

From the stile came the sound of Alec’s whis- 
tling — ‘‘ All the Blue Bonnets are over the. bor- 
der;” and from the open windows of Mr. Ashe’s 
room came the same tune, as he bent over the pack- 
ing of his valise. 

They will be over pretty soon now,” Blue Bon- 
net laughed. 

“ Blue Bonnet,” Miss Clyde said from the door- 
way, Cousin Honoria is hoping that you are not 


THE END OF THE TERM 419 


too tired to sing one of your Spanish songs for 
them?” 

‘‘ Of course Fm not ! ” Blue Bonnet answered. 
‘‘Grave or gay?” she asked, as Mr. Winthrop 
opened the piano for her. 

“ Both,” he replied. 

She gave them both, choosing, in closing, the little 
song Benita had crooned over her work during 
those final days at home last year, with its soft 
Spanish words of farewell. 

Cousin Honoria and Cousin Augusta suddenly 
found themselves envying Cousin Elizabeth. It was 
wonderful how a young person brightened up a 
house. 

When she came back to the veranda. Blue Bon- 
net found a small detachment of the “We are 
Seven’s ” there, with Alec and Grandmother. 

“ We only came to say,” Debby explained, “ that 
we are so glad we haven’t got to say a really good- 
bye ; and that we will be down at the station in the 
morning.” 

“ And mind,” Kitty pointed a warning forefinger, 
“ mind you and Mr. Ashe don’t forget to come back 
for us ! ” 

“ As if — ” Blue Bonnet laughed. 

Just before going to bed. Blue Bonnet, in dress- 
ing gown and slippers, came to her aunt’s room. 

Miss Clyde was sitting by one of the open win- 


420 A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 


dows, looking out at the soft, summer starlight, 
filled with the scent of the yellow and white honey- 
suckle covering the veranda below. She was think- 
ing of the past ten months, wondering how deeply 
their teachings had taken root with Blue Bonnet. 

“May I come in — for just a few moments?’’ 
Blue Bonnet asked. “ I want to — talk ; ” and ap- 
parently forgetting that Miss Lucinda did not ap- 
prove of her sitting on the floor, she dropped down 
beside her aunt’s chair, resting an arm on her lap, 
quite as though Aunt Lucinda were Grandmother. 
“ I can talk so much better this way,” she said. 
“ Please, Aunt Lucinda, I’m afraid I’ve been a lot 
of trouble to you — all these months. But it hasn’t 
had to be ^ Elizabeth! ^ so very often lately, has it? 
You do think I’ve improved some ? ” 

Miss Lucinda smiled. “ I do not think that you 
have ever meant to be ‘a lot of trouble,’ — the 
words are yours, not mine, my dear; and it has 
been a great comfort to both your grandmother and 
myself, having you with us.” 

“ And when I come back next fall, you’ll see — ” 
Blue Bonnet said earnestly. “ You’ve been ever so 
good to me. Aunt Lucinda — even if I didn’t — 
exactly think so — at the time. And I thought — 
maybe — we’d make this our real good-bye ; be- 
cause when Uncle Cliff and I get back from New 
York, it won’t be for much more than a stopping 
over.” 


THE END OF THE TERM 421 


“ But it is not to be good-bye/' Miss Lucinda laid 
a hand over Blue Bonnet^s — only, until we meet 
again/’ 

‘‘ And,” Blue Bonnet added softly, as her aunt 
bent to kiss her, “ ‘ Va Listed con Dios ! ’ ” 


THE END. 



BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE LITTLE COLONEL BOOKS 

(Trade Mark) 

By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON 
Each 1vol., large 12mo, cloth, illustrated, per vol. . $1.50 

THE LITTLE COLONEL STORIES 

(Trade Mark) 

Being three “ Little Colonel ” stories in the Cosy Comer 
Series, “ The Little Colonel, ” “ Two Little Knights of 
Kentucky," and “ The Great Scissors,” put into a single 
volume. 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S HOUSE PARTY 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S HOLIDAYS 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S HERO 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL AT BOARDING- 

(Trade Mark) 

SCHOOL 

THE LITTLE COLONEL IN ARIZONA 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S CHRISTMAS 

(Trade Mark) 

VACATION 

THE LITTLE COLONEL, MAID OF HONOR 

(Trade Mark) 

THE LITTLE COLONEL’S KNIGHT COMES 

(Trade Mark) 

RIDING 

MARY WARE: THE LITTLE COLONEL’S 

CHUM (Trade Mark) 

MARY WARE IN TEXAS 

These eleven volumes, boxed as an eleven-volume set $16.50 

A— 1 


L. C. PAGE COMPANIES 


THE LITTLE COLONEL 

(Trade Mark) 

TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY 
THE GIANT SCISSORS 
BIG BROTHER 

Special Holiday Editions 

Each one volume, cloth decorative, small quarto, $1.25 
New plates, handsomely illustrated with eight full-page 
drawings in color, and many marginal sketches. 

IN THE DESERT OF WAITING: The Legend 
OF Camelback Mountain. 

THE THREE WEAVERS: A Fairy Tale for 
Fathers and Mothers as Well as for Their 
Daughters. 

KEEPING TRYST 

THE LEGEND OF THE BLEEDING HEART 
THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS WINSOME: 

A Fairy Play for Old and Young. 

THE JESTER’S SWORD ^ 

Each one volume, tall 16mo, cloth decorative . $0.50 

Paper boards . . .35 

There has been a constant demand for publication in 
separate form of these six stories which were originally 
included in six of the “ Little Colonel ’ books. 

JOEL: A BOY OF GALILEE: By Annie Fellows 

Johnston. Illustrated by L. J. Bridgman. 

New illustrated edition, uniform with the Little Colonel 
Books, 1 vol., large 12mo, cloth decorative . $1.50 

A story of the time of Christ, which is one of the author’s 
best-known books. 

A— 2 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE LITTLE COLONEL GOOD TIMES 
BOOK 

U nif orm in size with the Little Colonel Series . $1.50 

Bound in white kid (morocco) and gold . , 3.00 

Cover design and decorations by Peter Verberg. 
Published in response to many inquiries from readers 
of the Little Colonel books as to where they could obtain 
a “ Good Times Book ” such as Betty kept. 

THE LITTLE COLONEL DOLL BOOK 

Large quarto, boards $1.50 

• A series of “ Little Colonel ” dolls, — not only the 
Little Colonel herself, but Betty and Kitty and Mary 
Ware, yes, and Rob, Phil, and many another of the well- 
loved characters, — even Mom’ Beck herself. There are 
many of them and each has several changes of costume, so 
that the happy group can be appropriately clad for the 
rehearsal of any scene or incident in the series. 

The large, cumbersome sheets of most of the so-called 
doll “ books ” have been discarded, and instead each 
character, each costume, occupies a sheet by itself, the 
dolls and costumes being cut out only as they are wanted. 
ASA HOLMES: Oe, At the Cross-Roads. A sketch 
of Country Life and Country Humor. By Annie 
Fellows Johnston. 

With a frontispiece by Ernest Fosbery. 

Large 16mo, cloth, gilt top $1.00 

“ ‘ Asa Holmes; or, At the Cross-Roads ’ is the most 
delightful, most sympathetic and wholesome book that 
has been published in a long while.” — Boston Times. 
THE RIVAL CAMPERS; Or, The Adventures op 
Henry Burns. By Ruel Perley Smith. 

Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . $1.50 

A story of a party of typical American lads, courageous, 
alert, and athletic, who spend a summer camping on an 
island off the Maine coast. 

THE RIVAL CAMPERS AFLOAT; Or, The 

Prize Yacht Viking. By Ruel Perley Smith. 
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . $1.50 

This book is a continuation of the adventures of “ The 
Rival Campers ” on their prize yacht Viking. 

A — 3 


L. C. PAGE <V COMPANY'S 


THE RIVAL CAMPERS ASHORE 

By Ruel Perley Smith. 

Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . $1.^0 

“ As interesting ashore as when afloat.” — The Interior. 

THE RIVAL CAMPERS AMONG THE 
OYSTER PIRATES; Or, Jack Harvey’s Adven- 
tures. By Ruel Perley Smith. Illustrated. SI. 50 

“ Just the type of book which is most popular with lads 
who are in their early teens.” — The Philadelphia Item. 

PRISONERS OF FORTUNE: A Tale of the Mas- 
sachusetts Bay Colony By Ruel Perley Smith. 
Cloth decorative, with a colored frontispiece . $1.50 

“ There is an atmosphere of old New England in the 
book, the humor of the born raconteur about the hero, 
who tells his story with the gravity of a preacher, but with 
a solemn humor that is irresistible.” — Courier-Journal. 

FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS. By Charles H. 

L. Johnston. 

Large 12mo, With 24 illustrations . . . $1.50 

Biographical sketches, with interesting anecdotes and 
reminiscences of the heroes of history who were leaders 
of cavalry. 

More of such books should be written, books that 
acquaint young readers with historical personages in a 
pleasant informal way.” — N. Y. Sun. 

FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS. By Charles H. L. 
Johnston. 

Large 12mo, illustrated $1.50 

In this book Mr. Johnston gives interesting sketches of 
the Indian braves wh6 have figured wdth prominence in 
the history of our own land, including Powhatan, the 
Indian Caesar; Massasoit, the friend of the Puritans; 
Pontiac, the red Napoleon; Tecumseh, the famous w^ar 
chief of the Shawnees; Sitting Bull, the famous w'ar chief 
of the Sioux; Ceronimo, the renowned Apache Chief, ate., 
etc. 

A— 4 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


FAMOUS SCOUTS. By Charles H. L. Johnston. 

Large 12mo, illustrated $1.50 

Mr. Johnston gives us historical facts and biographical 
sketches and interesting anecdotes of those heroes of early 

E ioneer days who made names for themselves among the 
ardy adventurers who thronged the border. There are 
tales of Gen. Israel Putnam; the celebrated Daniel Boone; 
Kit Carson, the noted scout; Lewis and Clarke, the hardy 
explorers; the world-renowned Buffalo Bill, and of many 
other famous scouts, trappers and pioneers. 

BEAUTIFUL JOFS PARADISE: Or, The 

Island of Brotherly Love . A sequel to ‘ ‘ Beautiful Joe 
By Marshall Saunders, author of “ Beautiful Joe.” 
One voL, library 12mo, cloth, illustrated . . $1.50 

“ This book revives the spirit of ‘ Beautiful Joe ’ capi- 
tally. It is fairly riotous with fun, and is about as unusual 
as anything in the animal book line that has seen the 
light.” — Philadelphia Item. 

’TILDA JANE. By Marshall Saunders. 

One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50 
“ I cannot think of any better book for children than 
this. I commend it unreservedly.” — Cyrus Townsend 
Brady. 

’TILDA JANE’S ORPHANS. A sequel to ‘‘ ’Tilda 
Jane.” By Marshall Saunders. 

One vol., 12mo, fully illustrated, cloth decorative, $1.50 
’Tilda Jane is the same original, delightful girl, and as 
fond of her animal pets as ever. 

THE STORY OF THE GRAVELE YS. By Mar- 
shall Saunders, author of “ Beautiful Joe’s Para- 
dise,” “ ’Tilda Jane,” etc. 

Library 12mo, cloth decorative. Illustrated by E. B. 

Barry $1.50 

Here we have the haps and mishaps, the trials and 
triumphs, of a delightful New England family, of whose 
devotion and sturdiness it will do the reader good to hear. 
BORN TO THE BLUE. By Florence Kimball 
Russel. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.25 

The atmosphere of army life on the plains breathes on 
every page of this delightful tale. The boy is the son of a 
captain of U. S. cavalry stationed at a frontier post in the 
days when our regulars earned the gratitude of a nation. 

A— 5 


Z. C. PAGE cr* COMPANY'S 


IN WEST POINT GRAY 

By Florence Kimball Russel. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.50 

“ Singularly enough one of the best books of the year 
for boys is written by a woman and deals with life at West 
Point. The presentment of life in the famous military 
academy whence so many heroes have graduated is realistic 
and enjoyable .” — New York Sun. 

THE SANDMAN: HIS FARM STORIES 

By William J. Hopkins. With fifty illustrations by 
Ada Clendenin Williamson. 

Large 12mo, decorative cover . . . . $1.50 

“ An amusing, original book, written for the benefit of 
very small children. It should be one of the most popular 
of the year’s books for reading to small children.” — 
Buffalo Express. <' 

THE SANDMAN: MORE FARM STORIES 

By William J. Hopkins. 

Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50 
Mr. Hopkins’s first essay at bedtime stories met with 
such approval that this second book of “ Sandman ” tales 
was issued for scores of eager children. Life on the farm, 
and out-of-doors, is portrayed in his inimitable manner. 

THE SANDMAN: HIS SHIP STORIES 

By William J. Hopkins, author of “ The Sandman: 
His Farm Stories,” etc. 

Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50 
“ Children call for these stories over and over again.” — 
Chicago Evening Post. 

THE SANDMAN: HIS SEA STORIES 

By William J. Hopkins. 

Large 12mo, decorative cover, fully illustrated $1.50 
Each year adds to the popularity of this unique series 
of stories to be read to the little ones at bed time and at 
other times. 

A— 6 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


A TEXAS BLUE BONNET 

By Emilia Elliott. 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . . $1.50 

^ This is the story of a warm-hearted, impulsive and breezy 
girl of the Southwest, who has lived all her life on a big 
ranch. She comes to the far East for a long visit, and her 
experiences “ up North ” are indeed delightful reading. 
Blue Bonnet is sure to win the hearts of all girl readers. 

THE DOCTOR'S LITTLE GIRL 

By Marion Ames Taggart, author of “ Pussy-Cat 
Town,” etc. 

One vol., library 12mo, illustrated . . . $1.50 

A thoroughly enjoyable tale of a little girl and her com- 
rade father, written in a delightful vein of sympathetic 
comprehension of the child’s point of view. 

SWEET NANCY 

The Further Adventures op the Doctor’s Little 
Girl. By Marion Ames Taggart. 

One vol., library, 12mo, illustrated . . . $1.50 

In the new book, the author tells how Nancy becomes 
in fact “ the doctor’s assistant,” and continues to shed 
happiness around her. 

CARLOTA ^ 

A Story op the San Gabriel Mission. By Frances 
Margaret Fox. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated 
in colors by Ethelind Ridgway . . . . $1.00 

“It is a pleasure to recommend this little storv as an 
entertaining contribution to juvenile literature.’ — The 
New York Sun. 

THE SEVEN CHRISTMAS CANDLES 

By Frances Margaret Fox. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and deco- 
rated in colors by E. B. Barry . . . . $1.00 

Miss Fox’s new book deals with the fortunes of the de- 
lightful Mulvaney children. 

SEVEN LITTLE WISE MEN 

By Frances Margaret Fox. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated in colors by 

E. B. Barry $1.00 

In this new story Miss F ox relates how seven little chil- 
dren, who lived in Sunny California, prepared for the great 
Christmas Festival. 

A— 7 


L. C. PAGE 6 - COMPANY'S 


PUSSY-CAT TOWN 

By Marion Ames Taggart. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and deco- 
rated in colors $1.00 

“ Anything more interesting than the doings of the cats 
in this story, their humor, their wisdom, their patriotism, 
would be hard to imagine.” — Chicago Post. 

THE ROSES OF SAINT ELIZABETH ^ 

By Jane Scott Woodruff. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and decorated 
in colors by Adelaide Everhart .... $1 .00 

This is a charming little story of a child whose father was 
caretaker of the great castle of the Wartburg. 

GABRIEL AND THE HOUR BOOK 

By Evaleen Stein. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and deco- 
rated in colors by Adelaide Everhart . . . $1.00 

Gabriel was a loving, patient, little French lad, who 
assisted the monks in the long ago days, when all the books 
were written and illuminated by hand, in the monasteries. 

A LITTLE SHEPHERD OF PROVENCE 

By Evaleen Stein. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated in colors by 

Diantha Horne Marlowe $1.00 

This is the story of Little lame Jean, a goatherd of 
Provence, and of the “ golden goat ” who is supposed 
to guard a hidden treasure. 

THE ENCHANTED AUTOMOBILE 

Translated from the French by Mary J S afford. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and deco- 
rated in colors by Edna M. Sawyer . . . $1.00 

“ An up-to-date French fairy-tale which fairly radiates 
the spirit of the hour, — unceasiqg diligence.” — Chicago 
Record-Herald. 

0-HEART-SAN 

The Story op a Japanese Girl. By Helen Eggles- 
ton Haskell. 

Small quarto, cloth decorative, illustrated and deco- 
rated in colors by Frank P. Fairbanks ... $1 .00 

“ The story comes straight from the heart of Japan. 
From every page breathes the fragrance of tea leaves, 
cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums.” — The Chicago 
Inter-Ocean. 

.\~S 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND; Ok, The Ad- 
ventures OP Allan West. By Burton E. Stevenson. 
Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . . $1.50 

^ Mr. Stevenson’s hero is a manly lad of sixteen, who is 
given a chance as a section-hand on a big Western rail- 
road, and whose experiences are as real as they are thrilling. 

THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER. By Bur- 

TON E. Stevenson. 

Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . i $1,50 
“ A better book for boys has never left an American 
press.” — Springfield Union. 

THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER. By Burton E. 
Stevenson. 

Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . $1.50 

“ Nothing better in the way of a book of adventure for 
boys in which the actualities of life are set forth in a practi- 
cal way could be devised or written.” — Boston Herald. 

CAPTAIN JACK LO RIMER, By Winn Standish. 

Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . $1.50 

Jack is a fine example of the all-around American high- 
school boy. 

JACK LORIMER’S CHAMPIONS ; Or, Sports 

ON Land and Lake. By Winn Standish. 

Square 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated . $1.50 

“ It is exactly the sort of book to give a boy interested 
in athletics, for it shows him what it means to always 
* play fair.’ ” — Chicago Tribune. 

JAtK LORIMER’S HOLIDAYS; Or, Millvale 
High in Camp. By Winn Standish. 

Illustrated $1.50 

Full of just the kind of fun, sports and adventure to 
excite the healthy minded youngster to emulation. 

JACK LORIMER’S SUBSTITUTE; Or, The Act- 
ing Captain of the Team. By Winn Standish. 

Illustrated $1.50 

On the sporting side, this book takes up football, wres- 
tling, tobogganing, but it is more of a school story perhaps 
than any of its predecessors. 

A— 9 


Z. C. PAGE ^ COMPANY'S 


THE RED FEATHERS. By Theodore Roberts 
Cloth decorative, illustrated . . . . $1.50 

“ The Red Feathers ” tells of the remarkable adventures 
of an Indian boy who lived in the Stone Age, many years 
ago, when the world was young. 

FLYING PLOVER. By Theodore Roberts. 

Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston 

Bull $1.00 

Squat-By-The-Fire is a very old and wise Indian who 
lives alone with her grandson, “ Flying Plover,” to whom 
she tells the stories each evening. 

COMRADES OF THE TRAILS. By G. E. 

Theodore Roberts. 

Cloth decorative. Illustrated by Charles Livingston 

Bull $1.50 

The story of a fearless young English lad, Dick Ramsey, 
who, after the death of his father, crosses the seas and 
takes up the life of a hunter and trapper in the Canadian 
foTGStfS 

LITTLE WHITE INDIANS. By Fannie E. Os- 

trander. 

Cloth decorative, illustrated . . . . $1 .25 

“ A bright, interesting story which will appeal strongly 
to the ‘ make-believe ’ instinct in children, and will give • 
them a healthy, active interest in ‘ the simple life.’ ” 

THE BOY WHO WON^ 

By Fannie E. Ostrander, author of “ Little White 
Indians.” 

12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated by R. Farrington 

Elwell $1.25 

^ A companion volume to “ Little White Indians ” con- 
tinuing the adventures of the different “ tribes,” whose 
“ doings ” were so interestingly told in the earlier volume. 
MARCHING WITH MORGAN. How Donald 
Lovell Became a Soldier of the Revolution. 
By John V. Lane. 

Cloth decorative, illustrated . . . . $1.50 

This is a splendid boy’s story of the expe^tion of 
Montgomery and Arnold against Quebec. 

Ar— 10 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


COSY CORNER SERIES 

It is the intention of the publishers that this series shall 
contain only the very highest and purest literature, — 
stories that shall not only appeal to the children them- 
selves, but be appreciated by all those who feel with 
them in their joys and sorrows. 

The numerous illustrations in each book are by well- 
known artists, and each volume has a separate attract- 
ive cover design. 

Each 1 vol., 16mo, cloth $0.60 

By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON 

THE LITTLE COLONEL (Trad© Mark.) 

The scene of this story is laid in Kentucky. Its hero- 
ine is a small mrl, who is known as the Little Colonel, 
on account of her fancied resemblance to an old-school 
Southern gentleman, whose fine estate and old family 
are famous in the region. 

THE GIANT SCISSORS 

This is the story of Joyce and of her adventures in 
France. Joyce is a great friend of the Little Colonel, 
and in later volumes shares with her the delightful ex- 
periences of the “ House Party ” and the “ Holidays.^* 

TWO LITTLE KNIGHTS OF KENTUCKY 

Who Were the Little Colonel’s Neighbors. 

In this volume the Little Colonel returns to us like an 
old friend, but with added grace and charm. She is not, 
however, the central figure of the story, that place being 
taken by the “ two little knights.” 

MH.DRED’S INHERITANCE 

A delightful little story of a lonely English girl who 
comes to America and is befriended by a sympathetic 
American family who are attracted by her beautiful 
speaking voice. By means of this one gift she is en- 
aoled to help a school-girl who has temporarily lost the 
use of her eyes, and thus finally her life becomes a busy, 
happy one. 

A — 11 


L. C. PAGE <5f» COMPANY'S 


By ANNIE FELLOWS JOHNSTON {Continued) 

CICELY AND OTHER STORIES FOR GIRLS 

The readers of Mrs. Johnston’s charming juveniles 
will be glad to learn of the issue of this volume for young 
people. 

AUNT »LIZA»S HERO AND OTHER STORIES 

A collection of six bright little storieS; which will appeal 
to all boys and most girls. 

BIG BROTHER 

A story of two boys. The devotion and care of Stephen, 
himself a small boy, for his baby brother, is the theme of 
the simple tale. 

OLE MAMMY’S TORMENT 

“ Ole Mammy’s Torment ” has been fitly called “ a 
classic of Southern life.” It relates the haps and mis- 
haps of a small negro lad, and tells how he was led by 
love and kindness to a knowledge of the right. 

THE STORY OF DAGO 

In this story Mrs. Johnston relates the story of Dago, 
a pet monkey, owned jointly by two brothers. Dago 
tells his own story, and the account of his haps and mis- 
haps is both interesting and amusing. 

THE QUILT THAT JACK BUILT 

A pleasant little story of a boy’s labor of love, and how 
it changed the course of his life many years after it was 
accomplished 

FLIP’S ISLANDS OF PROVIDENCE 

A story of a boy’s life battle, his early defeat, and hvs 
final triumph, well worth the reading. 

A — 12 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


By EDITH ROBINSON 

A LITTLE PURITAN»S FIRST CHRISTMAS 

A story of Colonial times in Boston, telling how Christ- 
mas was invented by Betty Sewall, a typical child of the 
Puritans, aided by her brother Sam. 

A LITTLE DAUGHTER OF LIBERTY 

The author mtroduces this story as follows: 

“ One ride is memorable in tne early history of the 
American Revolution, the well-know^ ride of Paul 
Revere. Equally deserving of commendation is another 
ride, — the ride of Anthony Severn, — which was no less 
historic in its action or memorable in its consequences." 

A LOYAL LITTLE MAID 

A delightful and interesting story of Revolutionary 
days, in which the child heroine, Betsey Schuyler, renders 
important services to George Washington. 

A LITTLE PURITAN REBEL 

This is an historical tale of a real girl, during the time 
when the gallant Sir Harry Vane was governor of Massa- 
chusetts. 

A LITTLE PURITAN PIONEER 

TU 6 R06iie of this story is Isid in ths Puritsn sottlcrnent 
at Charlestown. 

A LITTLE PURITAN BOUND GIRL 

A story of Boston in Puritan days, which is of great 
interest to youthful readers. 

A LITTLE PURITAN CAVALIER 

The story of a “ Little Puritan Cavalier who tried 
with all his boyish enthusiasm to emulate the spint and 
ideals of the dead Crusaders. 

A PURITAN KNIGHT ERRANT 

The story tells of a young lad in Colonial times who 
endeavored to carry out the high ideals of the knights 
of olden days. 

A— 13 


Z. C. PAGE &* COMPANY'S 


By OUIDA {Louise de la Ramee) 

A DOG OF FLANDERS 

A Christmas Story 

Too well and favorably known to require description. 

THE NURNBERG STOVE 

This beautiful story has never before been published 
at a popular price. 

By FRANCES MARGARET FOX 

THE LITTLE GIANT’S NEIGHBOURS 

A charming nature story ^f a “ little giant ” whoe- 
neighbors were the creatures of the field and garden. 

FARMER BROWN AND THE BIRDS 

A little story which teaches children that the birds are 
man's best friends. 

BETTY OF OLD MACKINAW 

A charming story of child life. 

BROTHER BILLY 

The story of Betty's brother, and some further adven- 
tures of Betty herself. 

MOT^R NATURE’S LITTLE ONES 

Curious little sketches d scribing the early lifetime, or 
childhood,” of the little creatures out-of-doors. 

HOW CHRISTMAS CAME TO THE MUL- 
VANEYS 

A bright, lifelike little story of a family of poor children 
with an unlimited capacity for fun and mischief. 

THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS 

Miss Fox has vividly described the happy surprises that 
made the occasion so memorable to the Mulvaneys, and 
the funny things the children did in their new environ- 
ment. 

A— 14 


BOOICS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


By MISS MU LOCK 

THE LITTLE LAME PRINCE 

A delightful story of a little boy who has many ad- 
ventures by means of the magic gifts of his fairy god- 
mother. 

ADVENTURES OF A BROWNIE 

The story of a household elf who torments the cook 
and gardener, but is a constant joy and delight to the 
children who love and trust him. 

HIS LITTLE MOTHER 

Miss Mulock’s short stories for children are a constant 
source of delight to them, and “ His Little Mother,’' in 
this new and attractive dress, will be welcomed by hosts 
of youthful readers. 

LITTLE SOTSHINE’S HOLIDAY 

An attractive story of a summer outing. “ Little Sun- 
shine ” is another of those beautiful child-characters for 
which Miss Mulock is so justly famous. 

By MARSHALL SAUNDERS 

FOR HIS COUNTRY 

A sweet and graceful story of a little boy who loved 
bis country; written with that charm which has endeared 
Miss Saunders to hosts of readers. 

NITA, THE STORY OF AN IRISH SETTER 

In this touching little book. Miss Saunders shows how 
dear to her heart are all of God’s dumb creatures. 

ALPATOK, THE STORY OF AN ESKIMO DOG 

Alpatok, an Eskimo dog from the far north, was stolen 
from his master and left to starve in a strange city, but 
was befriended and cared for, until he was able to return 
to his owner. 

A — 15 


Z. C. PAGE COMPANY'S 


By WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE 

THE FARRIER’S DOG ARD HIS FELLOW 

This story, written by the gifted young Southern 
woman, will appeal to all that is best in the natures of 
the many admirers of her graceful and piquant style. 

THE FORTURES OF THE FELLOW 

Those who read and enjoyed the pathos and charm 
of “ The Farrier’s Dog and His Fellow ” will welcome 
the further account of the adventures of Baydaw and 
the Fellow at the home of the kindly smith. 

THE BEST OF FRIERDS 

This continues the experiences of the Farrier’s dog 
and his Fellow, written in Mr. Dromgoole’s well-known 
charming style. 

DOWR m DIXIE 

A fascinating story for boys and girls, of a family of 
Alabama children who move to Florida and grow up in 
the South. 


By MARIAN W. WILDMAN 

LOYALTY ISLARD 

An account of the adventures of four children and 
their pet dog on an island, and how they cleared theii 
brother from the suspicion of dishonesty. 

THEODORE ARD THEODORA 

This is a story of the exploits and mishaps of two mis- 
chievous twins, and continues the adventures of th® 
interesting group of children in “ Loyalty Island.” 

A — 16 


BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 


By CHARLES G. D. ROBERTS 

THE CRUISE OF THE YACHT DIDO 

The story of two boys who turned their yacht into a 
fishing boat to earn money. 

THE YOUNG ACADIAN 

The story of a yoimg lad of Acadia who rescued a little 
English girl from the hands of savages. 

THE LORD OF THE AIR 

The Story of the Eagle. 

THE KING OF THE MAMOZEKEL 

The Story of the Moose. 

THE WATCHERS OF THE CAMP-FIRE 

The Story of the Panther. 

THE HAUNTER OF THE PINE GLOOM 

The Story of the Lynx. 

THE RETURN TO THE TRAILS 

The Story of the Bear. 

THE LITTLE PEOPLE OF THE SYCAMORE 

The Story of the Raccoon. 

By JULIANA HORATIO EWING 

STORY OF A SHORT LIFE 

This beautiful and pathetic story will never grow old. 
It is a part of the world’s literature, and will never die. 

JACKANAPES 

A new edition, with new illustrations, of this exquisite 
and touching story, dear alike to young and old. 

A GREAT EMERGENCY 

A bright little story of a happy, mischievous family 
of children. 

A- 17 


Z. C, PAGE COMPANY'S 


By OTHER AUTHORS 

THE GREAT SCOOP 

By MOLLY ELLIOT SEAWELL 
A capital tale of newspaper life in a big city, and of a 
bright, enterprising, likable youngster employed thereon. 

JOHN WHOPPER 

By BISHOP CLARK 

The late Bishop Clark’s popular story of the boy who 
fell through the earth and came out in China, with a new 
introduction by Bishop Potter. 

RAB AND HIS FRIENDS • 

By DR. JOHN BROWN 

Doctor Brown’s little masterpiece is too well known 
to need description. The dog Rab is already known and 
loved by all. 

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY: A Modern Version. 

By MARTHA B. DUNN 

This charming story of a little fishermaid of Maine, 
intellectually “ asleep ” until she meets the “ Fairy 
Prince,” reminds us of “ Ouida ” at her best. 

SUSANNE 

By FRANCES J. DELANO 
Susanne is a story of a motherless little girl with a won- 
derful voice who is taken to the city to be educated by a 
rich aunt, but runs away from the city and returns home. 

A CHILD’S DREAM OF A STAR 

By CHARLES DICKENS 

One of those beautiful, fanciful little allegories which 
Dickens alone knew how to write. 

A— 18 



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